unaccounted-for

[uhn-uh-koun-tid-fawr]

adjective

1. not accounted for; not understood; unexplained.

   an explosion resulting from some unaccounted-for mechanical failure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of unaccounted-for¹

1790–1800; formed on the verb phrase account for; un- ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Local police have not publicly identified any of the unaccounted-for victims, who authorities presume have all been killed.

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"It is estimated that the unaccounted-for costs of current approaches to economic activity – reflecting impacts on biodiversity, water, health and climate change, including from food production – are at least $10-25tn per year," she said.

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In 2017, Kubinec’s casket was among 35 exhumed that were associated with the West Virginia and sent for DNA testing by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which works to recover and identify unaccounted-for soldiers.

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But it later confirmed there was another unaccounted-for passenger on the flight.

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Authorities said early Tuesday that the death toll had risen to five, while 49 workers remained unaccounted-for in the mangled wreckage of the building, which collapsed on Monday afternoon.

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Related Words

• away 
• lost 
• removed