unaware

[uhn-uh-wair]

adjective

1. not aware or conscious; unconscious.

   to be unaware of any change.

   Synonyms: unknowing, ignorant, unsuspecting

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

Other Word Forms

• unawarely adverb
• unawareness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unaware¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + aware; compare Middle English unywar ( y- )

Example Sentences

Mr Ratliff also disputed Khan's claim that he was unaware it was illegal to arrive in the UK by small boat.

Read more on BBC

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Clippers said both the team and Ballmer were unaware of Aspiration’s suspicious dealings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Having been preoccupied with saving a season, Skipper acknowledged being blissfully unaware of any narratives about who’s done what to spark his team’s turnabout.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Claire says the friend was "reassuring", explaining that she thought she was "being kind" by giving space, unaware of the hurt caused.

Read more on BBC

Because that mutation hasn’t yet happened, most of the public is unaware of the threat.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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