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unexplained

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Etymology and origin of the English word unexplained

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1721 N. Amhurst, Terræ-filius
Ultimate origin
English un-,explained

Pronunciation

  • /ˌʌnɪkˈspleɪnd/, /ˌʌnekˈspleɪnd/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English un- + explained,[2][3][4] the past participle of explain.[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Not explained: 1721, in N. Amhurst's Terræ-filius.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Etymonline notes that it has meant "not explained" in any sense from the start,[3] and Collins adds "not understood", as of phenomena no one can account for.[5]

Timeline

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Not explained or accounted for; not understood: an unexplained drop in sales.[5][4][2]

Word family

  • unexplainedly
  • unexplainable

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Unexplained.” Etymologically, 1 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/en/unexplained. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·