How to Pronounce "an unknown quantity"
expression
ˈæn/, /ən/ /ənˈnoʊn/ /ˈkwɑntəti
an un-NOHN KWON-tuh-tee
ˈɐn/ /ʌnnˈəʊn/ /kwˈɒntɪti
un un-OHN KWON-ti-tee
Definition
A person or thing whose value, importance, or effect is not yet known; something or someone unpredictable.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈæn/, /ən/ /ənˈnoʊn/ /ˈkwɑntəti
British English
ˈɐn/ /ʌnnˈəʊn/ /kwˈɒntɪti
Simplified Pronunciation
US
an un-NOHN KWON-tuh-tee
UK
un un-OHN KWON-ti-tee
Listen in Context
The new player is an unknown quantity on the team.
This technology is still an unknown quantity to us.
She is an unknown quantity in the competition.
Investing in that market is an unknown quantity—it could go either way.