unaware

[ uhn-uh-wair ]

adjective

1. not aware or conscious; unconscious:

   to be unaware of any change.

   Synonyms: unsuspecting, unknowing, ignorant

adverb

1. unawares.

unaware

/ ˌʌnəˈwɛə /

adjective

1. postpositive not aware or conscious (of)

   unaware of the danger, he ran across the road

2. not fully cognizant of what is going on in the world

   he's the most unaware person I've ever met

adverb

1. a variant of unawares

Derived Forms

• ˌunaˈwarely, adverb
• ˌunaˈwareness, noun

Other Words From

• una·warely adverb
• una·wareness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unaware¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + aware; compare Middle English unywar ( y- )

Example Sentences

It is not a problem that MLAs or executive departments have been unaware of.

From BBC

The group found that even Naga elders were unaware that their ancestral remains were in foreign land.

From BBC

He said he was unaware of any previous discussion Hegseth had with the team, or if they knew about the settlement.

From BBC

Mr Mukhopadhyay’s caller was unaware of how long it typically took to redeem funds, which raised his suspicions.

From BBC

They can hardly be unaware that Gen. Mark Milley, who served as the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman under Trump, described him as “fascist to the core.”

From Salon

Related Words

• heedless
• negligent
• oblivious
• unconcerned
• unfamiliar
• uninformed