UFO

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'UFO' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any context where an Unidentified Flying Object needs to be referenced. Example: I saw an unexpected light in the sky last night and it turned out to be a UFO.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The fifth instalment of MoD UFO files was released last week, revealing reports of a large triangular UFO hovering in the skies above former home secretary Michael Howard's home near Folkestone, Kent, in March 1997.

Independent

The cover of the heavy rock band UFO's 1974 album Phenomenon features a hand-tinted image of a suburban couple apparently faking a UFO sighting, and manages to be both camp and inexplicably unsettling.

The Guardian - Music

Let's run through a typical example, level-by-level … On the ground floor: endless rows of what the Japanese call "UFO grabbers" – those familiar fairground games in which you make a doomed attempt to grab an underwhelming prize using a mechanised claw.

The Guardian - Travel

All the other historians pointed and laughed, and made me move my seat in the British Library next to the man who researches UFO conspiracies and smells of eels.

The Guardian - Film

But future biographers will focus on America's remarkable first lady.When Ms Flowers sold her story of a 12-year affair with candidate Clinton to a supermarket tabloid, Mrs Clinton dismissed the whole business as "trash for cash", and compared rumours about her husband's sex life to UFO sightings.

The Economist

The light they see in the sky, big as the sun, has become a digital stock-price display (for gold, frankincense and myrrh), the neon sign of the Ramada Bethlehem (five stars) and, of course, a UFO.

The Economist

Another reason is his willingness to criticise bad science within the scientific community itself, rather than limiting his attacks to UFO "researchers" or new-age archaeologists.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

And this time last year, the world was agog with claims that the Raelians, a UFO-loving cult, had cloned a baby girl called Eve.

The Economist

Announced on Twitter that he will release a UFO-themed new album this year.

Independent

As a founder of Mercury-shortlisted jazz outfit Portico Quartet, he introduced us to that UFO-shaped percussion instrument.

Independent

You have been warned.To many people, particularly Europeans, the Rapture comes from the UFO-watching, conspiracy-obsessed fringes of American life, where "X-Files" enthusiasts meet the Montana Freemen to stockpile supplies in caves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "UFOs", consider your audience. If writing for a scientific journal, "unidentified flying object" or "unexplained aerial phenomena" might be more appropriate than the initialism.

Common error

Avoid sensationalizing reports of "UFOs". Maintain a neutral tone, especially in formal writing, and focus on verifiable details rather than speculation.

Linguistic Context

"UFO" functions primarily as a noun, specifically an initialism, referring to an unidentified flying object. Ludwig's examples show its usage in news reports, encyclopedic entries, and discussions of cultural phenomena. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the initialism "UFO", standing for unidentified flying object, is a grammatically sound and very common term, predominantly used in news and encyclopedic contexts. While it can carry connotations of extraterrestrial origins, its primary function is simply to denote an object that hasn't been identified. As Ludwig examples show, and as Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable term in diverse settings. When referring to such objects, carefully assess the register appropriate for your target audience and maintain objectivity in your writing. While alternative terms such as "flying saucer" exist, "UFO" remains the standard initialism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unidentified flying object

Expands the initialism "UFO" into its full form.

Flying saucer

A common, albeit sometimes dated, synonym for "UFO".

Extraterrestrial spacecraft

Refers to a "UFO" with the added implication of being from outer space.

Alien craft

A shorter, more colloquial way to refer to a "UFO" believed to be of alien origin.

Anomalous aerial vehicle

A more technical and neutral way to describe a "UFO".

Unexplained aerial phenomena

A broader term that encompasses "UFOs" but also includes other mysterious occurrences in the sky.

Roswell incident

Refers to a specific, famous "UFO" event.

Close encounter

Describes an event where a person witnesses a "UFO" or interacts with its occupants.

Strange object in the sky

A more descriptive and less specific way to refer to a possible "UFO".

Airborne anomaly

Emphasizes the unusual and unexplained nature of a "UFO" without explicitly stating its origin.

FAQs

What does "UFO" stand for?

"UFO" stands for unidentified flying object.

What is another term for "UFO"?

Another term for "UFO" is "flying saucer", although this term is often considered dated.

Are all "UFOs" alien spacecraft?

Not all "UFOs" are necessarily alien spacecraft. The term simply means that the object has not been identified. There may be more mundane explanations.

How credible are "UFO" sightings?

The credibility of "UFO" sightings varies greatly. It's important to rely on reputable sources and consider alternative explanations before assuming extraterrestrial origins.