Undocumented: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something or someone that lacks official documentation or records, often in reference to immigrants who do not have legal permission to reside in a country.

• Many undocumented immigrants face challenges in accessing healthcare.
• The undocumented software feature caused unexpected errors.

Refers to something that has not been written down or officially noted, usually in the context of data, events, or transactions.

• The transaction was unrecorded, leading to financial discrepancies.
• Many historical events remain unrecorded.

Describes an action or person that violates the law. Often used in legal contexts, and can carry a negative connotation.

• Selling alcohol to minors is illegal.
• He was arrested for possessing illegal substances.

Used for items or entities that have not been formally entered into an official list or database. Often associated with vehicles, organizations, or voters.

• Driving an unregistered car can result in penalties.
• The charity organization was unregistered, so it couldn't receive certain grants.

Used when referring to something that lacks official records or documentation. Often used in legal, technical, or bureaucratic contexts.

• Many software features remain undocumented in the user manual.
• The immigrants were at risk because they were undocumented.

Used when information is vague or not clearly defined. Often used in formal writing or official announcements when specifics are not provided.

• The job requires an unspecified number of years of experience.
• The event will take place at an unspecified location.

Used when referring to something not formally recognized or authorized, often implying it is not legally binding or officially accepted.

• We had an unofficial meeting to discuss the strategy.
• He shared some unofficial news about the project.

Used when something lacks justification, evidence, or assistance. Often used in technical, academic, or legal contexts. It can carry a negative connotation.

• The software is unsupported on older operating systems.
• His claims were unsupported by any evidence.