unforeseen

Unforeseen is an adjective describing something not anticipated or expected, often referring to events, conditions, or information that could not be predicted with the knowledge available at a given time.

The term is built from the prefix un- meaning not, combined with foreseen, the past participle of foresee, which means to anticipate future events.

In everyday and formal language, unforeseen is used in phrases such as unforeseen delays, unforeseen problems, or unforeseen consequences. A closely related form is unforeseeable, used for things that cannot be foreseen rather than simply not foreseen.

In legal and policy contexts, unforeseen circumstances can affect obligations and remedies; many contracts include force majeure provisions to address events that are unforeseen, unavoidable, and outside a party's control. Risk management also considers unforeseen risks in planning.

See also: foreseeable, unforeseeable, unforeseen circumstances, force majeure.