好词典

unknown

UK //ʌnˈnəʊn//US //ʌnˈnoʊn//

词源

源自中古英语 unknawen,由 un-(表示否定)和 knowen(know的古体)组成,字面意思为不被知晓的。

adjective

❶ 指某事物或人的身份、性质、来源等不为人所知或未被确认的状态。常用于描述未被发现、未被识别或未被理解的事物。

“The cause of the disease is still unknown.”

(这种疾病的病因仍然未知。)

“She received a letter from an unknown sender.”

(她收到了一封来自未知发件人的信。)

同义词:unidentified, unfamiliar, obscure, anonymous, nameless

noun

❶ 指未知的人、事物或领域。常用于数学、科学等领域表示未知数或未被探索的部分。

“The equation contains two unknowns.”

(这个方程包含两个未知数。)

“He was a complete unknown before winning the competition.”

(在赢得比赛之前,他完全是个无名之辈。)

同义词:mystery, enigma, puzzle, uncertainty, variable

常见短语

unknown quantity — 指难以预测或评估的人或事物,常用于形容其潜力或影响尚不明确的情况。

“The new manager is still an unknown quantity to the team.”

(新经理对团队来说仍然是个未知数。)

fear of the unknown — 形容人们对不熟悉或无法预见的事物产生的恐惧心理,是人类常见的心理现象。

“Her hesitation was due to the fear of the unknown.”

(她的犹豫源于对未知的恐惧。)