unsolved
UK: ʌnˈsɒlvd | US: ʌnˈsɑːlvd
adj. not resolved or answered
adj. (of a mystery, problem, etc.) remaining without a solution
The word "unsolved" combines the prefix "un-" (Old English "un-," meaning "not") with the verb "solve" (from Latin "solvere," meaning "to loosen, release, or explain"). The suffix "-d" marks the past participle form. Literally, it means "not having been loosened (or resolved)," reflecting the idea of a problem remaining untied or unexplained. Over time, "solve" narrowed to mean finding answers, making "unsolved" specifically describe unresolved questions or mysteries.
The case remains unsolved despite years of investigation.
Many mathematical problems from ancient times are still unsolved.
Her disappearance is one of the town's biggest unsolved mysteries.
The team left the puzzle unsolved and moved on to the next challenge.
Unsolved crimes often haunt detectives long after retirement.