Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
unawares [uhn-uh-wairz] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for unawares on Thesaurus.com adverb
- while not aware or conscious of a thing oneself; unknowingly or inadvertently.
- without warning; by surprise; suddenly; unexpectedly: to come upon someone unawares.
Origin of unawares First recorded in 1525–35; unaware + -s1 Related Words for unawares short, aback, accidentally, carelessly, inadvertently, mistakenly, sudden, unconsciously, unexpectedly, unintentionally, unprepared, unwittingly, abruptly, ignorantly, surprisingly, unknowingly, unready Examples from the Web for unawares Historical Examples of unawares
At least, Yates, with all his experience, thought he had taken her unawares.
Robert Barr
Blessings, then, upon these young wayfarers, for they have “blessed me unawares.”
The Works of Whittier, Volume V (of VII)
John Greenleaf Whittier
“It was an unexpected blow; it caught me unawares,” he said heatedly.
Nat Schachner
I had unawares added to her grief, for her brother Charley was going to Switzerland too.
George MacDonald
You will take them unawares; but I flatter myself you will not find them unprepared.
Various
British Dictionary definitions for unawares unawares adverb
- without prior warning or plan; unexpectedlyshe caught him unawares
- without being aware of or knowinghe lost it unawares
Word Origin and History for unawares adv.
1530s, “without being aware,” from un- (1) “not” + aware + adverbial genitive -s. Meaning “without being noticed” is recorded from 1660s. Form unaware is recorded from 1590s.