unrecognized
Britishadjective
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not recognized or identified
hitherto unrecognized planets
-
not given formal acknowledgment of legal status
the unrecognized Communist Workers' Party
Explanation
Anything that has been overlooked or that hasn't been noticed before is unrecognized. Your brother may insist that his unrecognized singing talent will make him famous some day, despite the fact that he can barely carry a tune. Things that simply haven't been discovered yet are unrecognized, like an unrecognized case of pneumonia that doctors initially diagnosed as a bad cold. And qualities that aren't given the proper amount of attention are also unrecognized. It wasn't until your soccer coach had you sub in for an injured forward that she discovered your unrecognized talent for playing offense.
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.
University of Georgia researchers have identified and formally described two previously unrecognized species of black bass, known as Bartram's bass and Altamaha bass, in a recently published study.
From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026
“We believe there is a gap between the value of our individual assets and our market capitalization that suggests significant unrecognized upside,” Chief Executive Jonah Peretti said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
Mozart’s genius isn’t so much unrecognized as unremunerated.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
As an unrecognized state, Somaliland lacks access to the Swift system for clearing international financial transactions, and its government is effectively blocked from borrowing meaningful amounts of money.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
Even if I met Mary on the street, I'd have to pass her by unrecognized.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
