unexplored
Britishadjective
Explanation
Anything that's unexplored hasn't been discovered or investigated. The vast majority of the ocean is still unexplored. Unexplored is formed by adding the prefix un-, or "not, " to explored, which has a Latin root that means "investigate or search out." You can describe literal uncharted territory this way, like the parts of Antarctica that are so cold that humans haven't yet ventured there. It's also a good word for anything that hasn't been experienced or looked into: "I've brought my lunch every day, so the cafeteria food remains totally unexplored!"
Vocabulary lists containing unexplored
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.
"These canyons are incredibly rich ecosystems and, until now, they've been largely unexplored because of the difficulty of working at such extreme depths," Dr. Nester said.
From Science Daily • May 14, 2026
This is an avenue that Fagan leaves completely unexplored.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
Unless both sides can make a giant leap into an unexplored middle ground of compromise, it is hard to see a deal being made.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
The country’s large rare-metals deposits are still largely unexplored due to a lack of capital and expertise.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026
They had already spotted Christmas trees twinkling from several sitting room windows before there came an evening when Harry resolved to suggest, again, what seemed to him the only unexplored avenue left to them.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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.
