Etymologically
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unaware

Etymology and origin of the English word unaware

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1592
Ultimate origins
English (un-)Old English (ġewær)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
English aware
English unaware

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˌʌnəˈwɛə/ (UK); /ˌʌnəˈwɛɚ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is from English un- + aware,[2][3] or as an adverb a back-formation from unawares.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

As an adverb, unawares: 1592 in the OED (Merriam-Webster gives 1581).[4][3] The adjective, not aware or ignorant, is from 1704.[2][4]

Semantic evolution

At unaware is from 1598.[4] Reckless or unwary is a sense from 1817.[4] Not alert to what is going on in the world in general is a modern use.[5]

Timeline

  • 1592 – unaware (adverb).[4]
  • 1704 – not aware (adjective).[2][4]
  • 1817 – unwary.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Not aware or conscious of something: unaware of the danger.
  2. Not well informed about what is going on.

Adverb

  1. Unawares.

Word family

  • unawarely
  • unawareness

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Unaware.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/unaware. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·