unnamed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unnamed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something or someone that has not been given a name or is not identified by a name. Example: "The artist remained unnamed during the exhibition, leaving viewers curious about their identity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Applicants will then have three months in which to lodge their bids, by an as yet unnamed date in February 2007.

The Guardian - Business

"It is probable, therefore, that funds would be remitted in the first instance, to an unnamed account in a Swiss bank – and that the transfer from there to this country would take the form of a movement of banknotes.

The Guardian

Quoting unnamed sources, the Russian independent news channel TV Rain said the Russian leader, 62, had succumbed to flu and retreated to his secluded lakeside residence in Valdai, midway between Moscow and St Petersburg.

The Guardian

Claiming that (largely) unnamed deductions are going to make your tax plan revenue neutral is pretty lame.

The Guardian

The Tory's equivalent unnamed source says: ALESSIA PIERDOMENICO/Reuters This is an independent process and must be carried out impartially by the Boundary Commission.

The Guardian

Caring's Times interview suggests a business deal with unnamed associates lay behind his admittedly "unusual" cash transaction.

The Guardian - Business

O'Chee, a Queensland senator between 1990 and 1999, alleged that an unnamed News Ltd executive said he would be "taken care of" – that he would receive favourable coverage in the company's titles – if he voted against a change in media law.

The Guardian

In Sri Lanka I have stared out from an unnamed beach shack on stilts at the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean and watched fishermen haul in their catch for the day's shellfish curry.

The Guardian - Travel

The investigation led to yesterday's arrest of NoW royal editor Clive Goodman and two other unnamed men, one of whom has since been released on bail.

The Guardian

Shaikh rallied cheering staff on Tuesday, telling a gathering of employees that the company was the victim of both media rivals and unnamed individuals within the Pakistani state.

The Guardian

According to the usual phalanx of unnamed insiders, eager to breach the impenetrable wall of secrecy and reserve surrounding a woman who has agreed to have her uterus cleaned out on national television, the Kardashian-Wests have employed "a brigade of baby experts" to help them conceive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unnamed" to protect the privacy of individuals or entities when their identity isn't relevant to the context, or when their identity is unknown. For example, "The report cited an unnamed source within the company".

Common error

Avoid using "unnamed" as a placeholder when a more descriptive term is available. If possible, provide some context or characteristic to identify the subject without explicitly naming them. For example, instead of 'an unnamed witness,' consider 'a local resident'.

Linguistic Context

The word "unnamed" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it does not have a specified name. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a lack of identification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As Ludwig AI confirms, the word "unnamed" serves as an adjective indicating that something or someone lacks a specified name. With very common usage, particularly in News & Media, "unnamed" is a valuable tool for conveying information while preserving anonymity. As usage examples demonstrate, it's a versatile word with formal and informal usage. Best practices include using it to protect privacy, while common errors involve overuse as a vague placeholder.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not identified

Replaces "unnamed" with a more explicit description of the absence of identification.

without a name

Focuses on the absence of a formal name, similar to "unnamed".

anonymous

Highlights the aspect of being unknown or unacknowledged.

not specified

Emphasizes that details, including the name, are intentionally withheld.

undisclosed

Indicates that the name or identity is deliberately kept secret.

unidentified

Similar to "not identified", stressing the lack of recognition.

nameless

A direct synonym, emphasizing the absence of a name.

not designated

Highlights the lack of formal assignment or identification.

unacknowledged

Stresses the lack of formal recognition or acknowledgement.

confidential

Indicates that the name is kept secret for security or privacy.

FAQs

How can I use "unnamed" in a sentence?

You can use "unnamed" to refer to something or someone that has not been given a name or whose name is not known. For example: "The "unnamed source" provided crucial information to the investigation."

What phrases can I use instead of "unnamed"?

Alternatives to "unnamed" include "not identified", "anonymous", or "not specified", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "unnamed" in formal writing?

Yes, "unnamed" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to refer to someone or something without revealing their name, especially when the identity is confidential or irrelevant. For example, in academic papers or legal documents citing an "unnamed official".

What's the difference between "unnamed" and "anonymous"?

"Unnamed" simply means that a name has not been provided or is unknown. "Anonymous", on the other hand, suggests that the person or entity deliberately chose not to reveal their name. You might refer to an "unnamed donor" if you simply don't know their name, but an anonymous donor specifically wishes to remain unknown.