unseen

unseen — adjective

1. Hidden from sight, so that the eyes cannot detect it — either because it is phys

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Hidden from sight, so that the eyes cannot detect it — either because it is physically covered, because it is too small or far away, or because it does not make itself known through light.

例句

The spy crept through an unseen passage behind the library shelves.

unseen + noun describing a hidden physical feature

Fungi live and grow deep in the soil, unseen by anyone passing overhead.

unseen by [agent] — passive-style construction

同義詞
  • invisible

    Emphasises that something cannot be seen even if you try; 'unseen' can also mean merely not noticed.

  • hidden

    Suggests deliberate placement out of sight, whereas 'unseen' can be accidental or natural.

  • concealed

    Stronger implication of active covering or disguise; more formal in tone.

反義詞
  • visible

    Straightforward opposite — able to be seen by the eye.

  • apparent

    Emphasises that something is easily noticed or understood, not just visually observable.

文法句型

unseen + noun

be / remain / go + unseen

unseen by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common with spatial and perceptual contexts. Can also be used figuratively for anything that exists without being noticed — such as problems, costs, or dangers. Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'sight unseen' (see idiom entry).

常見錯誤

❌The ghost was unseen invisible.
✅The ghost was unseen.' or 'The ghost was invisible.
💡'unseen' and 'invisible' are near-synonyms; using both together is redundant.
❌I paid for the apartment unseen.
✅I paid for the apartment sight unseen.
💡When buying or renting without inspecting an item first, English uses the fixed idiom 'sight unseen', not just 'unseen'.

2. Describes films, television programmes, photographs, or written works that alrea

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Describes films, television programmes, photographs, or written works that already exist but have not yet been made available for the public to watch, read, or view.

例句

The director's unseen documentary was leaked online just hours before its official premiere.

unseen + noun (documentary, footage) for unreleased media

Manuela showed the gallery owner a portfolio of unseen photographs from her Antarctic journey.

同義詞
  • unreleased

    More specific to media that has been completed but withheld; 'unseen' can also include material that is still being finished.

  • unpublished

    Restricted to written works; 'unseen' covers film, TV, and photography too.

  • unaired

    Narrower — applies only to television and radio programmes that have not been broadcast.

反義詞
  • released

    Made available to the public.

  • published

    Specifically about written works or images made public in print or online.

  • broadcast

    Transmitted on television or radio.

文法句型

unseen + noun (footage, photographs, episodes, material, work)

previously unseen + noun

用法筆記

Appears predominantly in entertainment and publishing contexts. Often paired with the adverb 'previously' to stress that material is being made available for the first time. Not used for physical objects that have simply not been looked at — that meaning belongs to sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌I found some unseen photos in my drawer.
✅I found some old photos in my drawer.' or 'I found some previously unseen photos in the archive.
💡For personal photos you have not looked at, use 'old' or 'forgotten'. 'Unseen' in sense 2 implies the public has not seen them, not just you personally.