undocumented
Americanadjective
-
lacking documentation or authentication.
-
lacking proper immigration or working papers: undocumented immigrants.
an undocumented worker;
undocumented immigrants.
Sensitive Note
See illegal alien.
Etymology
Origin of undocumented
First recorded in 1880–85; un- 1 + documented ( def. )
Compare meaning
How does undocumented compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
When something is undocumented, it's not written down or recorded. When a person is undocumented. they don't have the proper records or identification that the law requires. These days in the U.S., you're very likely to come across this word in the context of immigration. When you hear about someone who's an undocumented worker or an undocumented immigrant, it means that they were born in another country, moved to the U.S. at some point, and don't currently have the legal documentation they need to work, attend school, or otherwise live freely and openly.
Vocabulary lists containing undocumented
The Circuit
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Word Generation Weekly - Series 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Shut Up, This Is Serious
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“Rather than stand with undocumented students, the governor asks for another suit,” said Arulanantham, who also represented plaintiffs in the lawsuit against UC.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
"The vast majority of these people who are undocumented are regular people with jobs and they're just trying to have a better future".
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Ahead of its closure, "Alligator Alcatraz" drew criticism from lawyers, relatives of detainees and human rights advocates, who accused the government of holding undocumented migrants in harsh conditions and denying them meaningful due process.
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
Even the H-2A legal process for hiring seasonal foreign workers “would likely be more expensive than employing undocumented workers.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
She didn’t know then what it meant to be an undocumented immigrant.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
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.
