unawares

[ uhn-uh-wairz ]

adverb

1. while not aware or conscious of a thing oneself; unknowingly or inadvertently.
2. without warning; by surprise; suddenly; unexpectedly:

   to come upon someone unawares.

unawares

/ ˌʌnəˈwɛəz /

adverb

1. without prior warning or plan; unexpectedly

   she caught him unawares

2. without being aware of or knowing

   he lost it unawares

Word History and Origins

Origin of unawares¹

First recorded in 1525–35; unaware + -s ¹

Example Sentences

Although heavy rain had been battering the area for hours, many, like Guillermo Serrano Pérez and his family, were caught unawares by the force of the floods.

From BBC

“I...I failed. I was not aware of the Huntsman’s approach. I sought to hide my presence from the Red Hood, cloaked as a man. But in man form, I cannot use as many of my senses as I can as a wolf. I was taken unawares, and reverted to my regular form when I lost conscious control over my aspect.”

From Literature

The entire plot is driven by Blackthorne’s revelation that even the Christian lords’ European allies are secretly building an army with which they intend to take all of Japan unawares.

From New York Times

Yet despite his image being widely publicised, neighbours were seemingly caught unawares when his identity was revealed last month, with one describing him to Mainichi newspaper as a "calm and serious" man - albeit with a tendency to play guitar in his room after a few drinks.

From BBC

That the government is always caught unawares shows a depressing underinvestment in the waterworks of its cities and its rural areas.

From BBC