méconnu

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /me.kɔ.ny/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

méconnu (feminine méconnue, masculine plural méconnus, feminine plural méconnues)

1. (of people and things) little known, unfamiliar (previously encountered but not familiar or well-acquainted); unrecognized, unfamiliar, unidentified (previously encountered but not known by name or identity)

   Synonyms: ignoré, peu connu

   Elle habite une maison modeste dans un quartier méconnu de son amant.

   She lives in a modest house in an area unfamiliar to her lover.

2. (of people and things) misunderstood (which is correctly recognized or identified, but whose true nature, qualities, character, etc. are not)

   Synonyms: incompris, mal connu

3. (of people and things) underappreciated, unrecognized (deserving or worthy of recognition that is not received)

   Synonym: sous-estimé

   comblé de talents méconnus ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   un bienfaiteur méconnu ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

4. (of people) unsung, obscure (not famous but deserving to be)

   Synonym: obscur

   des musiciens méconnus ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

Usage notes

• The word méconnu refers to someone or something that has been encountered but is not entirely familiar; a related term, inconnu, refers to someone or something not previously encountered and totally unknown.

Participle

méconnu (feminine méconnue, masculine plural méconnus, feminine plural méconnues)

1. past participle of méconnaître

References

• “méconnu”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
• “méconnu” in Dictionnaire français en ligne Larousse.
• “méconnu” in Dico en ligne Le Robert.