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Unbeknown: meaning, definitions and examples

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unbeknown

 

[ สŒn.bษชหˆnoสŠn ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

unknown situation

Unbeknown refers to something that is not known or not realized by someone. It is often used to describe events or circumstances that occur without a person's awareness. The term can imply a sense of secrecy or something that is hidden from view. In many contexts, it highlights the contrast between what is known and what is unknown. It is commonly used in literary and formal texts to create a sense of mystery or intrigue.

Synonyms

hidden, unfamiliar, unknown

Examples of usage

  • Unbeknown to her, a surprise party was being planned.
  • Unbeknown to the thief, the house was being watched by security.
  • He made decisions that were unbeknown to his colleagues.

Translations

Translations of the word "unbeknown" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desconhecido

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคœเฅเคžเคพเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช unbekannt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tidak diketahui

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะตะฒั–ะดะพะผะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nieznany

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็Ÿฅใ‚‰ใ‚Œใฆใ„ใชใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท inconnu

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ desconocido

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท bilinmeyen

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•Œ๋ ค์ง€์ง€ ์•Š์€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฌู‡ูˆู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ neznรกmรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ neznรกmy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆœช็Ÿฅ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ neznan

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณรพekkt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะตะปะณั–ัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒชแƒœแƒแƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ namษ™lum

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ desconocido

Word origin

The word 'unbeknown' comes from the Old English 'onbeknown', which is a combination of 'on' meaning 'on' or 'in' and 'beknown' meaning 'known'. The prefix 'un-' is a negation that transforms the meaning of 'beknown' to indicate a state of being not known. This construction reflects an earlier form of the word that has gradually evolved in usage. Over the centuries, 'unbeknown' has maintained its meaning related to ignorance of facts or circumstances. It is often used in literature, reflecting a sense of mystery or the unforeseen. The usage of the term in various literary works has helped solidify its place in the English language, especially in contexts where a character's ignorance is significant to the narrative.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,858, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.