Unseen: meaning, definitions and examples
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unseen
[ʌnˈsiːn ]
Definitions
not visible
Not seen or noticed by others; invisible.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| unseen |
Use 'unseen' when talking about something that hasn’t been seen or noticed, often in a more general or abstract sense.
|
| unnoticed |
Use 'unnoticed' when something is not observed or not given attention, often implying a lack of awareness.
|
| invisible |
Use 'invisible' when something cannot be seen, often because it is too small, transparent, or camouflaged.
|
| hidden |
Use 'hidden' when something is deliberately placed out of sight or concealed.
|
Examples of usage
- It was an unseen force that pushed the door open.
- The creature remained unseen in the darkness.
- The spy moved through the crowd unseen.
not anticipated
Not foreseen or expected; unexpected.
Synonyms
surprising, unexpected, unforeseen.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| unseen |
Use when referring to something not visible or not noticed.
|
| unexpected |
Use when something happens that was not anticipated or predicted.
|
| surprising |
Use when describing something that causes astonishment or amazement.
|
| unforeseen |
Use in formal contexts to describe something that was not predicted or planned for.
|
Examples of usage
- The sudden storm took the hikers by unseen surprise.
- His success was an unseen twist of fate.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'unseen' comes from the combination of 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'seen', the past participle of 'see'.
- It first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century, reflecting things that were not visible to the eye.
Psychology
- The concept of the unseen plays a significant role in perception and cognition, particularly in how we interpret things we can't directly observe.
- Cognitive biases can affect our understanding of the unseen, leading us to make assumptions based on incomplete evidence.
Literature
- In literature, unseen elements often symbolize mystery or the unknown, encouraging readers to explore themes that are hidden beneath the surface.
- Notable works like H.G. Wells' 'The Invisible Man' explore unseen phenomena, challenging the characters' and readers' perceptions of reality.
Pop Culture
- Movies often feature unseen characters or elements that are crucial to the plot, like ghosts in horror films or secret agents.
- In the realm of comics, characters like invisible superheroes have gained popularity by embodying the unseen.
Science
- In physics, many unseen forces, such as gravity, influence our daily lives, even though we cannot see them.
- Microorganisms are often unseen to the naked eye, yet they play essential roles in our environment and health.
Translations
Translations of the word "unseen" in other languages:
🇵🇹 invisível
🇮🇳 अनदेखा
🇩🇪 unsichtbar
🇮🇩 tak terlihat
🇺🇦 невидимий
🇵🇱 niewidoczny
🇯🇵 見えない
🇫🇷 invisible
🇪🇸 invisible
🇹🇷 görünmez
🇰🇷 보이지 않는
🇸🇦 غير مرئي
🇨🇿 neviditelný
🇸🇰 neviditeľný
🇨🇳 看不见的
🇸🇮 neviden
🇮🇸 ósýnilegur
🇰🇿 көрінбейтін
🇬🇪 უხილავი
🇦🇿 görünməz
🇲🇽 invisible