unsung
Americanadjective
-
not sung; not uttered or rendered by singing.
-
not celebrated in song or verse; not praised or acclaimed.
the unsung heroes of the war.
adjective
-
not acclaimed or honoured
unsung deeds
-
not yet sung
Etymology
Origin of unsung
1375–1425 unsung for def. 1; 1660–70 unsung for def. 2; late Middle English; see un- 1, sung
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.
A gold pocket watch owned by an unsung hero of the Titanic disaster could fetch up to £100,000 at auction, those selling it say.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
Tartines are the unsung heroes of party food.
From Salon • Feb. 3, 2026
Jerome A. Cohen’s name should figure on every list of unsung American titans.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
Melissa McCarthy is an everywoman intelligence agent who chooses to go into the field for the first time in this strangely unsung hero of modern comedy.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025
The oak grove was Snapfinger’s most unsung treasure.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
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.
