unmarked

/ˌʌnˈmɑːkt/ (bre, ipa) · [ənmˈɑrkt] /ˌʌnˈmɑːrkt/ (ame, ipa) · [ənmˈɑrkt] /ˌən-ˈmärkt How to pronounce unmarked (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unmarked — adjective

  • unmarkedpositive
  • more unmarkedcomparative
  • most unmarkedsuperlative

1. Completely free of any words, symbols, or other physical marks that could identi

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Completely free of any words, symbols, or other physical marks that could identify what something is, who owns it, or where it came from.

例句

Benjamin found an <hw>unmarked</hw> envelope on his desk with no return address.

attributive: unmarked + noun (envelope)

The police cruiser was deliberately kept <hw>unmarked</hw> to avoid being spotted by speeders.

passive: deliberately kept unmarked

同義詞
  • blank

    suggests a surface intended to be filled in; unmarked is broader, covering any absence of identifying marks

  • plain

    focuses on lack of decoration rather than absence of marks

  • clean

    suggests newness or freshness, not necessarily absence of marks

反義詞
  • marked

    having visible labels, symbols, or identifying signs

文法句型

unmarked + noun (attributive)

be unmarked (predicative)

用法筆記

Frequently appears in compound noun phrases with physical objects such as envelope, car, grave, or package. The opposite is marked (having identifying labels or signs).

常見錯誤

❌The paper was blank, with no writing on it.
✅The paper was unmarked, with no writing on it.
💡blank emphasises empty space ready for content; unmarked means no identifying marks at all.

2. Failing to attract any notice, recognition, or reaction from other people; passe

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Failing to attract any notice, recognition, or reaction from other people; passed over without comment or acknowledgment.

例句

Lena's volunteer work at the animal shelter did not go <hw>unmarked</hw> by the local community.

go unmarked by + noun phrase

The anniversary of the town's founding passed entirely <hw>unmarked</hw> this year.

同義詞
  • unnoticed

    more common in everyday speech; unmarked carries a slightly more formal tone

  • overlooked

    suggests accidental failure to notice rather than deliberate lack of recognition

  • unacknowledged

    emphasises not receiving credit or thanks

反義詞

文法句型

go unmarked

pass unmarked

remain unmarked

be unmarked by

用法筆記

Almost always used predicatively in the patterns go unmarked, pass unmarked, or remain unmarked — it is rarely used attributively (you would not say an unmarked achievement). The agent is introduced by the preposition by.

常見錯誤

❌His hard work remained unmarked by his boss.
✅His hard work went unmarked by his boss.
💡both go unmarked and remain unmarked are common; pass unmarked is rarer and sounds more literary.

3. Purposely plain and ordinary in appearance, without any decoration, distinctive

3.形容詞B2
釋義

Purposely plain and ordinary in appearance, without any decoration, distinctive feature, or special design that might draw the eye or reveal a purpose.

例句

The detective's office was an <hw>unmarked</hw> room on the third floor with no nameplate.

attributive: unmarked + noun (room)

Charlotte picked an <hw>unmarked</hw> grey folder so the documents would not draw attention.

同義詞
  • plain

    broader term; plain can describe anything simple, while unmarked suggests deliberateness

  • neutral

    emphasises the absence of any distinctive character or bias

  • understated

    more formal; suggests elegant simplicity rather than plainness

反義詞
  • distinctive

    having a strong, recognisable character that stands out

  • ornate

    heavily decorated or elaborate

文法句型

unmarked + noun (attributive)

be unmarked (predicative)

用法筆記

Describes things deliberately designed to be understated or inconspicuous — buildings, vehicles, clothing, stationery — rather than things that happen to lack features by accident. Often implies an intentional choice to avoid attention.