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

Rodriguez said that her absences were due to health issues, and that she was unaware of the lien.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Sharif agreed that violence to Sara had become "normalised" at times in the house, but he said his brother, Mr Malik - who lived with the family - was unaware of Sara being beaten at home.

From BBC

Corporal Adair did not have children, and when his wife died so did his memory, leaving Cameron and his family unaware of his existence.

From BBC

The park authority said some visitors were "unaware of the longstanding Welsh names and may mistakenly believe they are new".

From BBC

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

Related Words

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