uncharted
Americanadjective
adjective
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
Explanation
If a place is uncharted, it means it isn't found on any map, like the uncharted wilderness settlers found when heading west, or, more figuratively — the uncharted territory of a new strategy. The word charted originated in the 1570s, when chart was the name navigators used for maps. So when navigators reached a place not found on their charts, they called the place uncharted. Uncharted also can be used in a figurative sense to describe the start of a new experience, such as the uncharted territory of talking about a difficult subject for the first time.
Vocabulary lists containing uncharted
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Howie Buffett’s appointment as chairman ushers in a new era at Berkshire, and puts the conglomerate in uncharted territory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
Whatever happens on the listing front, experts say India's biggest trophy asset is entering totally uncharted territory.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
“We’re in a little bit of uncharted territory here,” said Matt Mackowiak, a Republican consultant who led Sen. John Cornyn’s unsuccessful primary bid against Paxton.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
In response to the assessment by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the UN warned that until humanity weaned off fossil fuels, the planet would only push deeper into uncharted territory.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
“Eat your raisins,” Skeezie tells him, tossing the box at him as Addie and I set off on our journey to uncharted territory: the center of the cafeteria.
From "The Misfits" by James Howe
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
