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

Raw Story argued that this process facilitated future infringement by leaving users unaware that they were receiving, and possibly distributing, copyrighted material without permission.

From Los Angeles Times

At another participating venue, which the BBC is naming, the White Bear in Hounslow in west London, a man who identified himself as the manager was unaware of the scheme.

From BBC

But there were also concerns over pronunciation and some visitors being "unaware of the longstanding Welsh names and may mistakenly believe they are new".

From BBC

She starts to cry, describing how she was living in Chicago during the majority of Palmer and Jackson’s relationship and was unaware of the alleged abuse until days before her daughter went to court.

From Los Angeles Times

Puppies were living their best puppy lives, blissfully unaware of any political upheaval.

From Salon

Related Words

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