unbeknown
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
Etymology
Origin of unbeknown
1630–40; un- 1 + beknown ( late Middle English beknowe, past participle of beknowen ); see be-, known
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But unbeknown to them, a little-known developer was readying a proposal that could transform the Marina’s skyline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 18, 2026
A week earlier Sturdivant had also begun communicating on a social-media platform with someone who, unbeknown to him, was an undercover officer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
The document shows that unbeknown to sub-postmasters, the two parties had a financial framework in place to manage discrepancies and for Fujitsu to fix problems or pay for them.
From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2025
So how did the Earwigs gain this unlikely cult following unbeknown to its founding member?
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2025
We were waiting for Mr. Mwakangale of the Tanganyika African National Union, a member of Parliament, and unbeknown to us he had already called looking for us.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
