unmarked
Americanadjective
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not marked.
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Linguistics.
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characterized by the absence of a distinctive phonological feature, as (p), which, in contrast to (b), lacks the distinctive feature of voicing.
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characterized by the absence of a grammatical marker, as the singular in English in contrast to the plural, which is typically marked marked mark by an -s ending.
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neutral with regard to an element of meaning specified by a semantically related item.
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occurring more typically than an alternative form.
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adjective
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not carrying a mark or marks
an unmarked police car
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not noticed or observed
Etymology
Origin of unmarked
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; un- 1, marked
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.
Despite lying beneath unmarked stones, these young people were not nameless.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
In footage played in court showing the women following an unmarked vehicle, they can be heard discussing their plan to observe an ICE raid.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
The visitors grabbed an early lead when Sam Beukema, one of three Napoli players left completely unmarked, headed in Miguel Gutierrez's free-kick.
From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026
On Saturday, several unmarked police cars were again seen at Andrew's former Windsor mansion Royal Lodge, where he lived for many years.
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026
Wes wins the jump easily, and—just like Coach had predicted—Pennsville leaves me unmarked, double-teams Terrell, and sets up a triangle zone.
From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick
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.
