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 of unaware

Adjective

• oblivious
• ignorant

Adverb

• suddenly
• unexpectedly
• unawares

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 duo would sneak into each other’s hotel rooms while filming, and director Robert Zemeckis and co-star Danny DeVito remained unaware. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

His private quarters include a bathtub specially built to accommodate the president's severe disabilities from polio, something that most Americans were unaware of. — John Ramos, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Even influencers working for Tenet Media were unaware of the source of that funding. — RenÉe Diresta, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

In the first installment, most of the kids are buoyant, unaware, their eyes glittering with naïveté. — Lauren Jackson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

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