Unsupervised Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unsupervised

[หŒสŒnsสŒหˆpraษชzd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

machine learning

Not supervised or monitored by a human or external source; automated or self-regulating.

Synonyms

automated, autonomous, self-regulating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsupervised

Used when describing a situation or task that is done without direct supervision or oversight by a person. Common in contexts where safety or quality checks are typically required.

  • Children should not play in the pool unsupervised.
  • The unsupervised machine performed the task efficiently.
self-regulating

Used to describe systems or mechanisms that can control or maintain their own operations or conditions without external input. Often seen in biological, ecological, or mechanical contexts.

  • The ecosystem is a self-regulating system, maintaining balance naturally.
  • The heating system is self-regulating, adjusting the temperature automatically.
automated

Used for processes or systems that operate with minimal or no human intervention, often controlled by machines or software. Common in manufacturing, technology, and service industries.

  • The factory uses automated assembly lines to increase production.
  • Customer service has been improved by an automated response system.
autonomous

Used to describe systems or entities that operate independently and have the capability to make decisions without human intervention. Often used in the context of vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

  • The company is testing autonomous vehicles on public roads.
  • The robot vacuum cleaner is fully autonomous, requiring no human control.

Examples of usage

  • The unsupervised algorithm was able to identify patterns in the dataset without the need for labeled data.
  • Unsupervised learning allows the system to learn from data without explicit guidance.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Not under the control or authority of someone else; independent.

Synonyms

autonomous, free, independent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsupervised

Use this when referring to a situation where there is no supervision or monitoring. It often implies a lack of control and can have a negative connotation.

  • The children were left unsupervised in the playground
  • The project failed because the interns were working unsupervised
independent

Use this to describe someone or something that is self-sufficient and does not rely on others for support or assistance. It is generally positive and implies capability.

  • After years of training, he became an independent researcher
  • She runs an independent bookstore in a small town
autonomous

Use this when describing someone or something that operates independently and makes decisions on its own. Often used in the context of machines, robots, or mature individuals.

  • The autonomous vehicle can drive itself without human intervention
  • The new team is quite autonomous, needing little guidance from management
free

This word is appropriate when describing someone or something that is not restricted or controlled by others, often implying liberty and the absence of confinement.

  • She felt free after quitting her restrictive job
  • The birds are free to fly anywhere they want

Examples of usage

  • He led an unsupervised life, making his own decisions without interference.
  • The children were left unsupervised for the afternoon.
Context #3 | Adverb

general

Without being supervised or monitored.

Synonyms

autonomously, independently, without supervision.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsupervised

Best used when meaning that there is a lack of monitoring or guidance, especially in situations where potential risk is involved.

  • Leaving children unsupervised at the playground can be dangerous
  • The employees worked unsupervised
independently

Used when highlighting the ability to work or function without assistance, focusing more on self-reliance and self-determination.

  • She learned to solve problems independently
  • The researcher conducted the experiment independently
autonomously

Suitable for describing situations where an entity operates on its own, emphasizing self-governing and self-sufficiency, often in technical or formal settings.

  • The robot can perform tasks autonomously
  • The committee decided to function autonomously from the main organization
without supervision

Commonly used in everyday language to describe scenarios where no oversight or management is present, often interchangeable with 'unsupervised' but more conversational.

  • He completed the task without supervision
  • Students should not be left without supervision during the exam

Examples of usage

  • The children played unsupervised in the park.
  • She completed the task unsupervised.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Psychology studies show that unsupervised activities often encourage autonomy and creativity, allowing individuals to explore ideas freely.
  • Unsupervised learning in machine learning refers to algorithms that learn patterns without labeled input data, thus modeling complex data sets independently.

Education

  • In educational contexts, unsupervised learning can help students develop critical thinking skills by allowing them to engage with material on their own.
  • Many informal learning environments and summer camps promote unsupervised play to foster social skills and independence.

Technology

  • In the world of artificial intelligence, unsupervised learning enables computers to identify trends and patterns from vast amounts of data without explicit instructions.
  • Technologies like clustering and dimensionality reduction utilize unsupervised approaches to help simplify complex datasets for better insight.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and TV shows often depict characters in unsupervised scenarios, leading to wild adventures or mischievous behavior, reflecting humanity's desire for freedom.
  • Popular video games sometimes feature 'sandbox' modes where players can explore and create freely without instructions or guidance.

Origin of 'unsupervised'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'unsupervised' combines the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', with 'supervised', which comes from the Latin 'supervisio', meaning 'overseeing'.
  • It first appeared in the English language in the late 19th century, reflecting the growing importance of management and oversight in various fields.

The term 'unsupervised' originates from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'without' and the word 'supervised'. It first appeared in the context of machine learning to describe algorithms that do not require labeled data for training. Over time, 'unsupervised' has also been used in a general sense to refer to situations or activities that are not under direct supervision or control.


See also: supervised, supervising, supervision, supervisor, supervisory.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,468, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.