unplumbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unplumbed' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has not been explored or fully understood. For example, "The depths of the ocean remain largely unplumbed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The Chedi show bedroom being unplumbed, my accommodation in Andermatt was in a plain but very well managed three-star hotel, the Alpenhotel Schlüssel.

Independent

For all that they are portrayed – not least by themselves – as flighty, social creatures of a cynical age, their passions are intense, heartfelt, unplumbed.

Independent

The problem is that Coldplay doesn't seem to have unplumbed depths, or a voice as distinctive as either Bono's or the Edge's, whose guitar is U2's second vocalist.

The New Yorker

Leaving his anger unplumbed and his talent unanalyzed, the film guides us through a Southern Baptist childhood and career highs and lows with more attention to the facts than to the person lurking behind them.

The New York Times

The contribution of Scheijen, a Dutch historian of Russian art, is a scholarly synthesis of previous accounts, buttressed by material from heretofore unplumbed archives.

The New York Times - Books

Yet this symphony's grander scale demands something more than exhilaration, and ultimately the performance's thrilling qualities couldn't quite eclipse the suspicion of depths left unplumbed.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

And out again into the unplumb'd, salt, estranging sea".

The Guardian

If you gave this to 100 very smart students, poets and critics – having allowed them read the rest of the poem – not one of them would come up with "salt," though a good few of the less able might have suggested "unplumb'd" or "estranging" if the blanks had been there.

The Guardian - Books

There is nothing very exciting about calling the sea "unplumb'd": it gets pretty deep out there.

The Guardian - Books

"It's obvious, dear boy," he murmured, citing the final line of the poem: "'the unplumb'd, salt, estranging sea'.

The Guardian - Books

What do you think goes best in the blank space?" The unplumb'd, ________, estranging sea.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unplumbed", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is not only unexplored but also potentially deep or complex, whether physically or metaphorically.

Common error

Avoid using "unplumbed" when simply meaning 'new' or 'unused'. The term carries a connotation of significant, often hidden, depth or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The word "unplumbed" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has not been fully explored or understood. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests a potential depth or complexity that remains unmeasured. Ludwig's examples range from describing physical spaces to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Books

14%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unplumbed" is a versatile adjective used to describe something unexplored and often possessing hidden depth or complexity. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's grammatically sound and suitable for formal and neutral contexts. While alternatives like "unexplored" or "untapped" exist, "unplumbed" specifically implies a potential for significant discovery or understanding. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize not just the lack of exploration but also the potential depth or complexity that lies beneath the surface. The frequency of use makes this a common but appropriate choice, particularly in news, arts, and literary contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexplored depths

Specifies the aspect of depth that is not explored.

unfathomed

Highlights the difficulty in understanding or measuring something.

unexplored

Focuses on the lack of prior exploration, emphasizing novelty.

undiscovered

Focuses on the lack of prior discovery or awareness.

untapped

Emphasizes the potential that remains unused or unexploited.

uncharted territory

Uses a metaphor of mapping to suggest unknown areas.

unexamined

Highlights the lack of scrutiny or analysis.

uninvestigated

Emphasizes the absence of a formal inquiry or study.

unrevealed

Focuses on the idea that something is hidden or not yet disclosed.

unsolved mysteries

Highlights the mysterious nature of something that is not yet solved.

FAQs

How to use "unplumbed" in a sentence?

You can use "unplumbed" to describe something that hasn't been fully explored or understood, such as "the "unexplored depths" of the human mind" or "the "unfathomed mysteries" of the universe".

What can I say instead of "unplumbed"?

Alternatives include "unexplored", "unfathomed", or "untapped", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "unplumbed depths" or "unplumbed shallows"?

"Unplumbed depths" is the typical usage, emphasizing the idea of something profoundly unexplored. "Unplumbed shallows" is less common, creating a contrast that might be used for specific rhetorical effect, suggesting superficiality that still holds unexplored aspects.

What's the difference between "unplumbed" and "unexplored"?

"Unexplored" simply means not yet examined or investigated. "Unplumbed" implies that something is not only unexplored but also possesses a certain depth or complexity that remains to be measured or understood. Use "unexplored" if only the lack of investigation is relevant; use "unplumbed" when depth or complexity is also important.