What does untold mean?
“Untold” is an adjective describing something that has not been revealed, reported, or disclosed. It is especially common in phrases such as “an untold story,” where it emphasizes that an important experience or piece of information has been omitted from public accounts. The word also describes quantities that are uncounted or immeasurable, as in “untold numbers” or “untold wealth.” In these contexts, “untold” can suggest both factual incompleteness and emotional or historical significance. It can further mean extraordinarily great, as in “untold suffering” or “untold resources.” The word is generally formal and often appears in journalism, historical writing, public discussion, and literary contexts. Its vividness comes from combining the simple idea of something not being said with the suggestion that the missing account may be important.
adjectiveNot told, revealed, or disclosed; kept secret or unreported. It can also mean not counted or measured, or so great in amount that it is difficult to describe.
- Not told or revealed; undisclosed or unreported.
- Not counted or measured, especially when referring to a number, amount, or total.
- So great or significant that it is difficult to describe or comprehend.
"The memoir contains an untold story of courage that had remained hidden for decades."
"The investigation revealed several untold details about the accident."
"The charity has provided untold support to families affected by the disaster."
An untold story may be absent from the record, but it can still be powerful enough to change how people understand the past.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does untold come from?
“Untold” is an English adjective formed from the un- prefix and “told,” the past participle of “tell.” The underlying verb “tell” comes from Old English tellan, meaning “to relate” or “to inform,” while the prefix un- expresses negation. Related English forms such as “tale” and “teller” continue the same inherited verbal tradition.
How untold is actually used
“Untold” is most common with stories, numbers, amounts, wealth, and suffering. It is usually more literary or emphatic than “not told,” and “untold numbers” is a familiar expression meaning an extremely large number that has not been precisely counted.