uncharted

American  

[uhn-chahr-tid] / ʌnˈtʃɑr tɪd /

adjective

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

   the uncharted depths of space.

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uncharted British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of uncharted

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

Example Sentences

Every time she showed up at a race, she was venturing into uncharted territory.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Surrey man was in uncharted territory in a series where each of the five Tests went to the final day.

From BBC

"Although we focus on rock salt HEOs, our methods provide a broad adaptable framework for enabling uncharted, promising chemically disordered complex oxides."

From Science Daily

“We led with honesty,” Darlington said, “and acknowledging that this is uncharted territory for many of us.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This was uncharted territory in which I could carve out my own niche,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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