unheard-of

[ uhn-hurd-uhv, -ov, -uhv ]

adjective

1. that was never heard of; unknown:

   an unheard-of artist.

2. such as was never known before; unprecedented:

   an unheard-of salary.

3. shocking or outrageous:

   unheard-of conduct.

unheard-of

adjective

1. previously unknown

   an unheard-of actress

2. without precedent

   an unheard-of treatment

3. highly offensive

   unheard-of behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of unheard-of¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Idioms and Phrases

Very unusual, extraordinary, as in It's unheard of to have all one's money refunded two years after the purchase . This expression alludes to a circumstance so unusual that it has never been heard of. [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

For one, she admitted TV documentary crews into her palaces to film her, an unheard-of relaxation of the court protocols.

From The Daily Beast

Taymor and his business partner, Ashleigh Parsons, signed the lease and opened Alma an unheard-of two weeks later.

From The Daily Beast

The low viral load was a very unusual but not unheard-of finding, meaning we may never know the truth.

From The Daily Beast

We know it has given unheard-of power to anyone with a browser.

From The Daily Beast

How can one not pay tribute to the unheard-of tenacity he demonstrated during every stage of this war?

From The Daily Beast

This unheard-of despotism, this horrible political perjury, was certainly not merited by the good and generous Brazil.

From Project Gutenberg

Miriam vows to devour an unheard-of number of biscuits, too.

From Project Gutenberg

Here have I been striving with unheard-of patience to teach you and you have not hitherto been able to say your letters even.

From Project Gutenberg

This last action of unheard-of boldness literally staggered the mutineers.

From Project Gutenberg

In the act of sinking, a most extraordinary and unheard-of thing happened.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exceptional
• inconceivable
• little-known
• unbelievable
• undiscovered
• unprecedented