unaware

1 of 2

adjective

un·​aware ˌən-ə-ˈwer 

: not aware : ignorant

unaware of the problem

unawarely adverb

unawareness noun

unaware

2 of 2

adverb

: unawares

Synonyms

Adjective

• clueless
• ignorant
• incognizant
• innocent
• insensible
• nescient
• oblivious
• unacquainted
• unconscious
• uninformed
• unknowing
• unmindful
• unwitting

Adverb

• aback
• suddenly
• unanticipatedly
• unawares
• unexpectedly

Examples of unaware in a Sentence

Adjective

she was unaware of the change in travel plans

Adverb

the predawn attack took the airmen completely unaware

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The good news about season 3 taking us back in time is that many of those characters are likely to return, unaware of the grisly fates awaiting them. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 June 2025

Many of these students and their families were unaware of their full mathematical potential. —Julia Brodsky, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

While so many have walked through the halls of Building No. 7, researchers were largely unaware of the significant number of immigrant workers staying there in between the two wars, according to the release. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025

For the unaware, this tool is Windows’ native antivirus. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1696, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1581, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unaware

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

unaware

1 of 2 adverb

un·​aware ˌən-ə-ˈwa(ə)r 

-ˈwe(ə)r

: unawares

unaware

2 of 2 adjective

: not aware : ignorant

unawareness noun