unaccounted-for

[ uhn-uh-koun-tid-fawr ]

adjective

1. not accounted for; not understood; unexplained:

   an explosion resulting from some unaccounted-for mechanical failure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of unaccounted-for¹

1790–1800; formed on the verb phrase account for; un- ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

But it later confirmed there was another unaccounted-for passenger on the flight.

From BBC

Authorities said early Tuesday that the death toll had risen to five, while 49 workers remained unaccounted-for in the mangled wreckage of the building, which collapsed on Monday afternoon.

From Seattle Times

“He has not been associated with any remains recovered from the area after the war and is still unaccounted-for,” according to the agency.

From Seattle Times

The key is to ask the right questions, the topmost being: where is Raymond Clark, the unaccounted-for Tsalal scientist who was involved with Annie K?

From Salon

Coloma was on the unaccounted-for list before her official identification as a victim.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• away
• lost
• removed