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

Many doctors were unaware there was a separate file on them outside of normal employment documents.

From BBC

Her stage two appeal was unsuccessful, with the authority saying it did not accept that parents were unaware of the policy when applying for school places.

From BBC

The woman said she had been unaware she was pregnant.

From Los Angeles Times

They found parents, carers and relatives - as well as schools - were largely unaware of the way privacy features on social media can be overridden by certain actions.

From BBC

Some of the district’s board members were unaware that the district had purchased the software.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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