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

"I have one grand champion female that maybe I sign here for the seventh match," he said - unaware he was speaking to a BBC journalist.

From BBC

A previous hearing was told police officers were unaware that the hotel housed asylum seekers at the time of the incident.

From BBC

In a series of updates over the weekend, Mr Rue said the company was unaware of the incident for 13 hours.

From BBC

They are seemingly unaware that a 21st century autocracy is best achieved with cunning and finesse.

From Salon

One party figure I phoned was completely unaware the party had changed chief executive before I told them.

From BBC

Related Words

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