untold

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'untold' is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used as an adjective meaning "too great or too numerous or too extraordinary to be related in detail or to be described or enumerated". For example, "The suffering of the victims is untold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The story of eating disorders among black women is an untold, and often an unknown, one.

The Guardian - Opinion

As writer and pop historian, Jon Savage, whose illuminating documentary, Teenage, is released this week, noted recently: "It is a cruel irony that, just as commercialised youth culture seems everywhere – appealing to all ages, and making untold millions for media corporations – the demographic on which this was once based is being excluded from society.

The Guardian

"Ronaldo turns up every time for Portugal, because he has untold caps.

The Guardian - Sport

Block F, like many of the records, had been destroyed, and until the recent revival of interest and the restoration of the site as a museum, the stories of the women, overshadowed by the brilliant maverick men such as Alan Turing, seemed likely to go untold for ever.

The Guardian

The very real problems are not just the vast and untold damage that dredging will do to the Great Barrier Reef, or the risk of damage to the reef by the substantial increase in shipping through the World Heritage Area.

The Guardian

But their production carries a cost; using more than 40 elements that are mined with untold environmental and social effects on every inhabited continent on earth.

The Guardian

It's been called the most contested acronym in Europe, a putative free-trade deal between the world's two richest trading powers that will either unleash untold prosperity or economic and cultural ruin, depending on your point of view.

The Guardian - Business

It promises readers untold riches, an insight into a fabulous world far removed from that of mere mortals; gems of important information, the gleaning of which cannot help but improve your life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What happened in the basement of One World Trade Center after Sandy is an untold – and as yet unresolved – chapter in the site's redevelopment, already dogged by false starts, political squabbling and cost overruns, and involving some of the biggest names in New York City's corporate real estate.

The Guardian

They are committing us to untold damage from climate change, while taking none of the responsibility.

The Guardian

While reserving the right to slag them off at will, we don't begrudge them their untold wealth.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "untold" to describe a quantity, ensure the context clearly implies a significant magnitude. For example, "untold riches" suggests a vast amount of wealth.

Common error

Avoid using "untold" when referring to small or easily quantifiable amounts. Using it in such cases diminishes its impact and can sound hyperbolic. For instance, saying "untold pennies" is generally inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "untold" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has not been told or revealed, or to emphasize a quantity or number so large as to be immeasurable. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "untold" is a versatile term used to describe something unrevealed or of great magnitude. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed. It appears most often in News & Media sources but is also common in Formal & Business contexts. The related phrases, such as "unrevealed" and "immeasurable", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using "untold", be mindful of its impact; reserve it for situations where the quantity or story truly warrants such emphasis. Overusing it for minor details diminishes its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrevealed

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being not yet disclosed or revealed.

undisclosed

Focuses on the aspect of being kept secret or confidential.

uncounted

Emphasizes the lack of enumeration or tallying, highlighting the quantity aspect.

unspecified

Emphasizes the lack of specific detail or identification.

immeasurable

Highlights the inability to measure or quantify, emphasizing the magnitude.

incalculable

Implies a difficulty or impossibility in calculating or estimating.

vast

Indicates a very large extent or quantity.

limitless

Implies having no bounds or restrictions, emphasizing the boundless nature.

unfathomable

Suggests something difficult or impossible to fully understand or comprehend.

unexpressed

Highlights the aspect of not being voiced or communicated.

FAQs

How can I use "untold" in a sentence?

"Untold" can be used to describe something that hasn't been revealed, like "the "untold story"", or a very large amount, like "untold riches".

What does "untold" mean?

"Untold" can mean not told or revealed, or it can mean too great or numerous to be counted or described.

Is "untold" a formal word?

"Untold" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific usage. It is commonly found in news, literature, and everyday conversation.

What is the difference between "untold" and "unspoken"?

"Untold" refers to something not narrated or revealed, while "unspoken" typically refers to something not verbally expressed, often an emotion or feeling.