Unsolved
/ʌnˈsɒlvd/
Definitions
Not having been successfully resolved or explained; remaining a mystery.
/ʌnˈsɒlvd/
Not having been solved or explained
The mystery of the missing paintings remains unsolved.
💡 Simply: It means something isn't figured out or finished. Like when you can't figure out a riddle, or the police haven't found the person who did something wrong.
👶 For kids: When something is unsolved, it means no one knows the answer yet! Like a mystery that needs to be solved.
More Examples
The police are looking for clues in this unsolved crime.
The mathematical problem remained unsolved for centuries.
How It's Used
"The detective is working on an unsolved case from twenty years ago."
"The cause of the disease remains unsolved despite extensive research."
"Many complex equations remain unsolved even today."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
leave something unsolved
To allow a problem or mystery to remain unresolved.
"They chose to leave the case unsolved because of a lack of evidence."
From "un-" (not) + "solved", derived from the verb "solve", ultimately from Latin "solvere" (to loosen, release).
Used in historical texts, particularly in the context of legal matters and scientific challenges where resolution was not immediately available.
Memory tip
Think of a puzzle you can't figure out – that's unsolved!
Word Origin
"to loosen, release; the negative prefix "un-" is from Old English meaning "not""