of uncertain age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of uncertain age" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone whose age is not clearly defined or known. Example: "The artifact was found in the ruins, its origins shrouded in mystery and of uncertain age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Single women, especially in multiples, especially of uncertain age, were unwelcome.

The New Yorker

Moreover, in their immediate vicinity many sculptures in pottery of uncertain age have been found.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you find a peroxide-forming chemical of uncertain age or exhibiting any sign of peroxide formation (crystal formation, cloudiness, liquid stratification), DO NOT OPEN.

Princeton University

Here, and in "Underwater," she has the husky-voiced glamour and sharp, glancing beauty and artifice of a French chanteuse of uncertain age.

The New York Times - Arts

The practice of rubbing the strings with this implement is of uncertain age and origin, but it seems to have appeared almost simultaneously (9th 10th century ce) in China, Java, the Arab world, Byzantium, and Europe.

Britannica

He appears on a panel carved in low relief by a follower of Tullio or of his younger brother Antonio, as a skinny male of uncertain age standing in front of a tree.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Spending 27 minutes at the Sheraton New York Hotel talking about your propensity for sex virtual and telephonic with women of uncertain ages would seem to define an extinction-level event for a politician.

The New York Times

Based on actor Greg Sesteros' memoir of his time spent working on what's commonly known as the worst movie ever made, The Disaster Artist tracks the rise and fall and now, thanks to this film, another rise of The Room's Tommy Wiseau, a real man of an uncertain age who poured six million dollars of his own mysteriously accumulated money into making his Hollywood dreams come (kind of) true.

Vice

Like many men of an uncertain age, Moses is struggling to keep up with the emotional demands of today's modern relationships as well as the strange twilight of retirement.

Huffington Post

Women of an uncertain age glide between palm trees on rollerblades.

The Guardian

That is especially true for women like myself, who are what my friend Betty Waterman calls "of an uncertain age".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical artifacts or archaeological finds, use "of uncertain age" to indicate that the exact age cannot be determined through available dating methods.

Common error

Avoid using "of uncertain age" when a reasonable approximation can be provided. If an estimated range can be given, it's more informative to say "estimated to be between X and Y years old" rather than stating the age is entirely uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of uncertain age" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its age as not definitively known. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used across various contexts to indicate a lack of precise information regarding age.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of uncertain age" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something whose precise age is not known. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees usage across diverse fields, ranging from news and media to science and academic writing. While alternatives such as "age unknown" or "of undetermined age" exist, "of uncertain age" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility. When wielding it, keep in mind not to use when an approximation is possible and it's recommended to verify the context appropriateness for the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

age unknown

This alternative is shorter and more direct, omitting the preposition "of" and the adjective "uncertain".

of undetermined age

Replaces "uncertain" with "undetermined", offering a synonym that maintains a formal tone.

age unascertained

Substitutes "uncertain" with "unascertained", providing a more formal and less common alternative.

of indefinite age

Replaces "uncertain" with "indefinite", implying a lack of specific limits or clarity.

of questionable age

Changes the focus to the reliability of the age, rather than simply its uncertainty.

of imprecise age

Highlights the lack of precision in determining the age.

of speculative age

Suggests that any statement of age is based on conjecture rather than solid evidence.

approximate age

This is a shorter noun form that suggests the age is not known exactly but estimated.

difficult to age

Shifts the emphasis to the challenge of determining the age.

hard to determine the age

Highlights the difficulty in finding an answer to the age question.

FAQs

How can I use "of uncertain age" in a sentence?

You can use "of uncertain age" to describe something when its precise age cannot be determined. For example, "The artifact discovered at the site was "of uncertain age", making it difficult to place within a specific historical period."

What's the difference between "of uncertain age" and "of unknown age"?

While both phrases indicate that the age is not definitively known, "of unknown age" suggests a complete lack of information about the age, whereas "of uncertain age" implies some investigation or speculation has occurred, but a precise age could not be determined.

What can I say instead of "of uncertain age"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "age unknown", "of undetermined age", or "of indefinite age".

Is it appropriate to use "of uncertain age" when referring to a person?

Yes, it's appropriate, though potentially sensitive. It's more common to use phrases like "appears to be in their early twenties" or "whose exact age is not known". However, "of uncertain age" is acceptable when a more precise assessment is genuinely not possible, and the information is relevant.