unbeknown

[ uhn-bi-nohn ]

/ ˌʌn bɪˈnoʊn /

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adjective

unknown; unperceived; without one's knowledge (usually followed by to).

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Also un·be·knownst

[uhn-bi-nohnst]. /ˌʌn bɪˈnoʊnst/.

Origin of unbeknown

1630–40; un-¹ + beknown (late Middle English beknowe, past participle of beknowen); see be-, known

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use unbeknown in a sentence

In reality, he and been off in Argentina with his girlfriend, unbeknownst to his wife.
Mark Sanford’s Epic Facebook Overshare|Olivia Nuzzi|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unbeknownst to him, the orb contains an Infinity Stone, which holds within it the power to destroy entire planets.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Filmmaker James Gunn on His Glorious Space Opera and Rise to the A-List|Marlow Stern|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unbeknownst to Rullo, Scotto had not only been caught by the feds but agreed to cooperate with them.
Is FedEx America’s No. 1 Drug Dealer?|Abby Haglage|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So, jealous Megan cuts the mom-to-be a check and sends her packing—unbeknownst to Don.
Mad Men’s ‘The Runaways’: Three-Way Sex and Self-Mutilation in the Craziest Episode Yet|Marlow Stern|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Unbeknownst to Butler, that issue already existed—and Westbrook was, naturally, its cover star.
NBA Style: Full-Court Dress|Erin Cunningham|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His Majesty found that the Forge was not a bad residence for a King living unbeknownst.
The King of Ireland's Son|Padraic Colum
Writing unbeknownst to her folks, with loose talk about her on the side, is another thing altogether.
Stepsons of Light|Eugene Manlove Rhodes
However, she knew he did; so she slipped into the house unbeknownst, stole up to the giant's room, and crept in behind the bed.
English Fairy Tales|Flora Annie Steel
Yer's been puttin' cotton in my baskit unbeknownst ter save me some lashes, an' yer throw'd it up ter me yistiddy.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, October, 1877, Vol. XX. No. 118|Various
Me blood was up whin I seen this spalpeen wid his dirty set o' vagabones waitin' to murther me if they ketched me unbeknownst.
Ireland as It Is|Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

British Dictionary definitions for unbeknown

unbeknown

/ (ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊn) /

adverb

(sentence modifier foll by to) without the knowledge (of a person)unbeknown to him she had left the country Also (esp Brit): unbeknownst

adjective

(postpositive usually foll by to) rare not known (to)

Word Origin for unbeknown

C17: from the archaic beknown known; see be-, know

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012