What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Unknown vs Forgotten - What's the difference?

unknown | forgotten |

As adjectives the difference between unknown and forgotten

is that unknown is not known; unidentified; not well known while forgotten is of which knowledge has been lost; which is no longer remembered.

As nouns the difference between unknown and forgotten

is that unknown is (algebra) a variable (usually x'', ''y'' or ''z ) whose value is to be found while forgotten is a person or thing that has been forgotten.

As a verb forgotten is

.

unknown

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Not known; unidentified; not well known.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=The Celebrity, by arts unknown , induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on an afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. The three returned wondering and charmed with Mrs. Cooke; they were sure she had had no hand in the furnishing of that atrocious house.}}

    Synonyms

    * anonymous * unfamiliar * uncharted * undiscovered * unexplored * unidentified * unnamed * unrecognized * unrevealed * unascertained * obscure * unsung

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (algebra) A variable (usually x'', ''y'' or ''z ) whose value is to be found.
  • Any fact or place about which nothing is known (as in the phrase "into the unknown").
  • A person of no identity; a nonentity
  • * 1965 , (Bob Dylan), (Like a Rolling Stone)
    • How does it feel
    To be on your own
    With no direction home
    Like a complete unknown
    Like a rolling stone?

    forgotten

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of which knowledge has been lost; which is no longer remembered.

    • Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person or thing that has been forgotten.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2007, date=December 31, author=Alan Feuer, title=Headliners of 07: A Subway Savior, Rampaging Rats, and a $12 Million Dog, work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=Luckily for these unfortunate forgottens , New Year is approaching, a time when, despite the intuitions of the calendar, our thoughts often turn to the past. }} English adjectives ending in -en English irregular past participles