Unanswered
ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd
Definitions
2 meaningsNot having received a response or reply.
ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd
Not answered or responded to
The phone rang and rang, but remained unanswered.
💡 Simply: Imagine you send a text message, and nobody writes back. An unanswered message is like that - it's waiting for a reply but doesn't get one. Like when you ask your friend for candy and they ignore you.
👶 For kids: It means something didn't get a reply. Like when you ask your mom if you can have a cookie, and she doesn't say yes or no!
More Examples
Many questions about the case remain unanswered.
Her pleas for help went unanswered.
How It's Used
"The email remained unanswered for days."
"The legal claim went unanswered by the defendant."
Not having found a solution, explanation, or resolution.
ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd
A question or problem that has not been solved or explained
Many questions regarding the origin of life remain unanswered.
💡 Simply: Imagine a riddle that nobody can figure out, or a mystery with no solution. An unanswered question is just like that!
👶 For kids: It means there's a question or problem that nobody knows the answer to yet!
More Examples
The mystery of the missing money was left unanswered.
There are still many unanswered questions about the universe.
How It's Used
"The mystery surrounding the disease remained unanswered for years."
"The fundamental philosophical question is still unanswered."
Synonyms
From Old English *un- (not) + answered, the past participle of answer. Answered itself comes from Old English and relates to a response to a question or request.
The word "unanswered" has been used in English since the 14th century, appearing in early religious texts and literature to describe questions or requests that did not receive a response. It's remained relatively consistent in its meaning over time.
Memory tip
Think of a question hanging in the air, waiting for an answer that never comes.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: answer
Prefix: un-