Unbeknown: meaning, definitions and examples
๐คซ
unbeknown
[ สn.bษชหnoสn ]
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:
๐ต๐น desconhecido
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคเฅเคเคพเคค
๐ฉ๐ช unbekannt
๐ฎ๐ฉ tidak diketahui
๐บ๐ฆ ะฝะตะฒัะดะพะผะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ nieznany
๐ฏ๐ต ็ฅใใใฆใใชใ
๐ซ๐ท inconnu
๐ช๐ธ desconocido
๐น๐ท bilinmeyen
๐ฐ๐ท ์๋ ค์ง์ง ์์
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุฌููู
๐จ๐ฟ neznรกmรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ neznรกmy
๐จ๐ณ ๆช็ฅ็
๐ธ๐ฎ neznan
๐ฎ๐ธ รณรพekkt
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะตะปะณัััะท
๐ฌ๐ช แฃแชแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ namษlum
๐ฒ๐ฝ desconocido
Etymology
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.
- ...
- 35855 possessively
- 35856 decontaminate
- 35857 hypnotherapy
- 35858 unbeknown
- 35859 bosun
- 35861 clichรฉd
- ...