unidentified

adjective

un·​iden·​ti·​fied ˌən-ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfīd 

-ə-ˈden-

: not having a known or established identity : not identified

unidentified flying objects

an unidentified suspect

Synonyms of unidentified

• one
• unnamed

Examples of unidentified in a Sentence

an unidentified worker reported the security breach

some unidentified person helped them and then left quietly

Recent Examples on the Web

The victim was walking southbound on the sidewalk when the unidentified suspect approached her, police said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

The interviewees who didn’t want to be filmed are played by actors, including executive producer Emma Thompson wedged between an undercarriage and pavement as the unidentified van protester. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Investigators are still trying to establish what drove the unidentified Omani suspect to launch an attack on his fellow pilot. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

An unidentified woman who was with Horsch also gave investigators an ID with the name Blair Tonzelli, a woman who had been reported missing in 2023. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unidentified

• unidentified aerial phenomenon
• unidentified anomalous phenomenon
• unidentified flying object

Rhymes for unidentified

• acetaldehyde
• acetanilide
• arabinoside
• cycloheximide
• cyclophosphamide
• diethylamide
• dinucleotide
• ferricyanide
• ferrocyanide
• glutaraldehyde
• glyceraldehyde
• hydroperoxide