Unaware

/ʌnəˈwɛr/ adjective

Definition

Not knowing about or noticing something; having no knowledge of something.

Etymology

From Old English 'aware' meaning watchful or cautious, with the prefix 'un-' meaning not. The word evolved from 'ware' meaning to beware or be careful.

Kelly Says

The prefix 'un-' is one of English's most powerful tools for negation, and 'unaware' shows how a simple prefix can flip meaning—'aware' becomes its opposite. Interestingly, you can be unaware of something specific (like a surprise party) or unaware in general (spacey or distracted).

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