ignotus
[ɪŋˈnoː.tʊs]
The Latin word for unknown is ignotus. Wiktionary also lists incognitus and ignoratus.
Meaning: not known (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| ignotus | [ɪŋˈnoː.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [iɲˈɲɔː.tus] (narrow) |
| incognitus | [ɪŋˈkɔŋ.nɪ.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [iŋˈkɔɲ.ɲi.tus] (narrow) |
| ignoratus | |
| nescitus | |
| obscurus | [ɔpˈskuː.rʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [obˈskuː.rus] (narrow) |
The term is used to describe something or someone that is not known, recognized or identified.
Which one should you use?
ignotus is the most common way to say unknown in a general sense, typically referring to a person or thing that has not been identified. In contrast, incognitus is used in more formal, technical or mathematical contexts, such as to describe an unknown variable in algebra. Finally, obscurus is used metaphorically when unknown implies that something is hidden, dim or lacks clarity.
Related words
Did you know?
- The word incognitus is the ancestor of the English word 'incognito', which describes a person who hides their true identity to avoid being recognized.
- While we use 'ignore' in English to mean we are deliberately avoiding something, the Latin root of ignoratus is simply the state of not knowing.
- The word ignotus is built from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵneh₃-, which is the same ancestor for the English word 'know'.
Examples in context
- Aedificator illarum domuum incognitus est.The builder of those houses is unknown.This sentence uses incognitus to state that a builder is unknown.Tatoeba #5267504 by CarpeLanam, translation #2949740 by AlanF_US
- "Ipse ignotus, egens, Libyæ deserta peragro, / Europa atque Asia pulsus".Myself a stranger, friendless and unknown, / from Europe driven and Asia, roam in vain / the wilds of Libya.This sentence uses ignotus to describe a person who is a stranger and unknown.Tatoeba #6557551 by carlosalberto, translation #6789010 by carlosalberto
- Causa incognitaUnknown cause
- persona ignotaUnknown person
Example conversation
Julia and Gaius are discussing a mysterious traveler.
- JuliaQuis est ille vir?Who is that man?
- GaiusNescio, nomen eius ignotum est.I don't know, his name is unknown.
- JuliaUnde venit?Where does he come from?
- GaiusId quoque ignotum est.That is also unknown.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unknown” translations and entries ignotus, incognitus, ignoratus, nescitus, obscurus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ignoratus, ignotus, incognitus, nescitus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
