Definition

Something that has not been claimed or taken ownership of, often referring to items or property that remain unowned.

Example

The airport announced that all unclaimed luggage would be donated to charity after 30 days.

Conversation

Did you see all that unclaimed luggage at the airport yesterday?

Yeah, it was so chaotic!

I wonder how long they keep the unclaimed bags before they dispose of them.

I think it’s a few months, but they usually try to find the owners first.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unclaimed → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "claimed" (from Old French *clamer*, meaning to call out or declare). The word "unclaimed" means not called out for or not declared as belonging to someone.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not' ('un-') 'called out' or 'declared' ('claimed') — that's why unclaimed refers to something that has not been claimed.

Visually Confused Words