unknowing

[ uhn-noh-ing ]

adjective

1. ignorant or unaware:

   unknowing aid to the enemy.

unknowing

/ ʌnˈnəʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. not knowing; ignorant
2. postpositiveoften foll byof without knowledge or unaware (of)

Derived Forms

• unˈknowingly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·knowing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unknowing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; un- ¹, knowing

Example Sentences

In the first story, a giant rock is falling from the sky, barreling toward the unknowing creatures.

From Time

It’s very hard, especially right now, not to see Baker’s hamfisted and unknowing attempts to rescue his daughter as a commentary on American incursions on foreign soil in the name of providing justice or rescue.

From Time

It almost makes him an unknowing martyr for the anti-vax movement.

From Science News

You’re a loving, kind woman and the knowing or unknowing hate and intolerance makes me wish I had died instead of having to see it because it is not you.

From Washington Post

“Maybe we need a new category other than theism, atheism or agnosticism that takes paradox and unknowing into account,” he writes.

From The Daily Beast

At the reception the unknowing DJ played “The Way You Make Me Feel,” by Michael Jackson.

From The Daily Beast

The result smacks of paranoid fear-mongering inside a cloud of unknowing instead of a clear-eyed search for the truth.

From The Daily Beast

Much like the Landon debacle, media coverage of Piedmont has primarily focused on the “unknowing” girls who were targeted.

From The Daily Beast

Outside he could still hear the busy sounds of the street—the world was going on its way, unknowing, unheeding.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile the Duke, all unknowing, appeared in the doorway in his appointed place.

From Project Gutenberg

Auersperg himself, unknowing, had provided the way and he was sending them not only in comfort but in luxury.

From Project Gutenberg

The man who wrote had gone away unknowing of the blackness of the tragedy he had left behind.

From Project Gutenberg

Never was anything so singular as the discovery of old acquaintances where I had reason to suppose myself unknowing and unknown.

From Project Gutenberg