Definitions

unknown quantity

NOUN

dark horse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

also-ran long shot sleeper underdog

WEAK

hundred-to-one shot improbability little chance little opportunity outside chance outside shot poor bet poor lookout poor possibility poor prognosis poor prospect slim chance small chance stalking horse unexpected winner unknown unlikelihood unlikely winner upsetter

Example Sentences

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unknown quantity

Burnham is mostly an unknown quantity in India.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Humphries, but the veteran is of late something of an unknown quantity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2025

The firm added the crash had caused "multiple explosions" on board and an unknown quantity of jet fuel to be released.

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2025

Is Levi a professional wildcard—some unknown quantity who requires vetting by the president-elect himself, or someone who demands that his every former employer be contacted by the president-elect himself?

From Slate ● Jan. 9, 2025

Doubleday an unknown quantity, but certainly nothing spectacular.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara

unknown quantity

Example Sentences

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