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

“It’s uncharted waters,” said Chen Bo, a senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"If the shutdown drags deep into next week, we will be venturing into uncharted territory," Wells Fargo analysts wrote recently, noting that most prior shutdowns, especially lengthy ones, have been far more limited in scope.

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“It’s one of those things that we’re still in sort of uncharted territory with him,” Roberts said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cignetti has Indiana in uncharted waters, forcing the college football universe to pay respect.

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At last, the Mariners are back, four wins away from uncharted territory.

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Related Words

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

When To Use

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.