uncharted

[ uhn-chahr-tid ]

adjective

1. not shown or located on a map; unexplored; unknown, as a place or region:

   the uncharted depths of space.

uncharted

/ ʌnˈtʃɑːtɪd /

adjective

1. (of a physical or nonphysical region or area) not yet mapped, surveyed, or investigated

   uncharted waters

   the uncharted depths of the mind

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncharted¹

First recorded in 1840–50; un- ¹ + chart + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The predawn hours may not be the time for personal records or uncharted routes.

From Outside Online

In this book, you can view more than 220 images taken from Apollo space mission astronauts as they explore uncharted territory on the moon.

From Popular-Science

While 2020 has introduced challenges no one expected, recent advances in emerging tech have enabled companies worldwide to quickly react and adapt in uncharted territory.

From Fortune

To grab and hold their attention, you need to go off your customer lists and into uncharted waters.

From Search Engine Watch

Sponsoring virtual parades might be uncharted territory for you but it’s a territory worth exploring.

From Search Engine Watch

But remember, this was uncharted territory for the FAA just as it was for Galactic.

From The Daily Beast

His new book looks at the most fascinating forgotten and uncharted spots.

From The Daily Beast

In Unruly Places, Bonnett has launched an investigation into uncharted, underground, and undiscovered worlds.

From The Daily Beast

Campaigning openly with a same-sex spouse is largely uncharted territory for gay Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

The relationship between siblings, though not completely uncharted, is a far less frequent subject of systematic study.

From The Daily Beast

He was out upon the great ocean current of circumstances, where everything was unknown and uncharted, so far as he was concerned.

From Project Gutenberg

She was still an unknown and uncharted land to him, to which at times the instinct of self-preservation blindly inclined him.

From Project Gutenberg

Though I'd make a map fr'm mem'ry an' gossip iv anny other man, f'r mesilf I'm still uncharted.

From Project Gutenberg

Bringing the ship to anchor in such a wind in uncharted, shoal water was difficult to do in a cool and methodical manner.

From Project Gutenberg

And now Elliott, adorable Elliott, was to be marooned in this uncharted district for a whole year.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• far-off
• faraway
• remote
• undiscovered
• unexplored

Uncharted Vs. Unchartered

What’s the difference between uncharted and unchartered?

Uncharted means unexplored or unmapped, as in uncharted territory or uncharted waters. Unchartered means not having (or not done under) a charter or some other kind of official authorization, as in an unchartered flight. It’s sometimes used to mean unauthorized or lawless, as in unchartered activity. 

The chart in uncharted refers to a map, but charted is not commonly used as an adjective—most people would say mapped. In contrast, both unchartered and chartered (meaning having a charter or officially authorized) are used.

The two words are often used in much different contexts, but there are some cases where both could apply. For example, a remote parcel of land may be both uncharted (unmapped) and unchartered (not bound by any official charters or laws).

Here’s an example of uncharted and unchartered used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The movie is an adventure about a group of teens who take a secret, unchartered flight to explore an uncharted island. 

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between uncharted and unchartered.

Quiz yourself on uncharted vs. unchartered!

Should uncharted or unchartered be used in the following sentence?

This is _____ territory—it can’t be found on any map.