uncharted

[ uhn-chahr-tid ]

adjective

1. not shown or located on a map; unexplored; unknown, as a place or region:

   the uncharted depths of space.

uncharted

/ ʌnˈtʃɑːtɪd /

adjective

1. (of a physical or nonphysical region or area) not yet mapped, surveyed, or investigated

   the uncharted depths of the mind

   uncharted waters

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncharted¹

First recorded in 1840–50; un- ¹ + chart + -ed ²

Example Sentences

We are headed into uncharted territory as a people and a nation.

From Salon

“This is truly uncharted territory,” said Anna Cominsky, a professor at the New York Law School.

From BBC

For another month, he and his crew will continue their search, covering more than 1,500 square nautical miles of uncharted ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

His ascent to the highest office in the US while facing dozens of criminal charges has plunged the country into uncharted territory.

From BBC

The bumpy ride of 2020 has TV news operations preparing for more uncharted territory when ballot counting begins Tuesday night in the tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• far-off
• faraway
• remote
• undiscovered
• unexplored

Uncharted Vs. Unchartered

What’s the difference between uncharted and unchartered?

Uncharted means unexplored or unmapped, as in uncharted territory or uncharted waters. Unchartered means not having (or not done under) a charter or some other kind of official authorization, as in an unchartered flight. It’s sometimes used to mean unauthorized or lawless, as in unchartered activity. 

The chart in uncharted refers to a map, but charted is not commonly used as an adjective—most people would say mapped. In contrast, both unchartered and chartered (meaning having a charter or officially authorized) are used.

The two words are often used in much different contexts, but there are some cases where both could apply. For example, a remote parcel of land may be both uncharted (unmapped) and unchartered (not bound by any official charters or laws).

Here’s an example of uncharted and unchartered used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The movie is an adventure about a group of teens who take a secret, unchartered flight to explore an uncharted island. 

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between uncharted and unchartered.

Quiz yourself on uncharted vs. unchartered!

Should uncharted or unchartered be used in the following sentence?

This is _____ territory—it can’t be found on any map.