unbeknown

[uhn-bi-nohn]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unbeknown ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for unbeknownst

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
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

But, unbeknownst to the Italians, the men in the boat—identified as Ajesh “Pinky” Bink and Jelestine—were not pirates after all.
Italian Pirate-Fighting Marines On Trial|Barbie Latza Nadeau|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Besides, we have so grave a general as Sherman alluding to the "Unbeknownst" in an official document.
The Lincoln Story Book|Henry L. Williams
But unbeknownst to it, this very violence thrived on these pecuniary fertilizers.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
That's 'bout the only way he'll ever do one, Frank, unbeknownst like.
Old Man Curry|Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
Unbeknownst to yourself, dear, you bore him what he wanted, and what I wanted.
The Soul of Susan Yellam|Horace Annesley Vachell
I got acquainted with the porter, and he blacked my boots in the night unbeknownst to me, while I was engaged in slumber.
Remarks|Bill Nye

British Dictionary definitions for unbeknownst

unbeknown

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

Word Origin and History for unbeknownst

unbeknownst

1833, vulgar formation from unbeknown (1630s). No clear reason for the -st, but since 19c. this has become the dominant form.

unbeknown

adj.

1630s, from un- (1) "not" + beknown (see beknow).

unbeknown

adjective

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Origin of unbeknown

Examples from the Web for unbeknownst

unbeknown

adverb

adjective

Word Origin for unbeknown

unbeknownst

unbeknown