Unbeknownst: meaning, definitions and examples

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unbeknownst

 

[ หŒสŒn.bษชหˆnoสŠnst ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

unknown situation

Unbeknownst means not known or not aware of something. It is often used to describe a situation where someone is unaware of something that is happening, especially when it involves other people. This word can indicate a sense of secrecy or hidden knowledge. It often appears in literary contexts to create suspense or intrigue.

Synonyms

unaware, unknown, unrecognized

Examples of usage

  • Unbeknownst to her, they were planning a surprise party.
  • He traveled across the world, unbeknownst to his family.
  • Unbeknownst to the public, the company was facing financial troubles.

Translations

Translations of the word "unbeknownst" 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 ๋ชจ๋ฅด๋Š”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุบูŠุฑ ู…ุนุฑูˆู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ neznรกmรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ neznรกmy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆœช็Ÿฅ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nepoznan

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณรพekktur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะตะปะณั–ัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒชแƒœแƒแƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ namษ™lum

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ desconocido

Etymology

The word 'unbeknownst' originates from the combination of 'un-' (a prefix meaning 'not') and 'beknown,' which is an archaic form of the verb 'know.' The term has been in use since the late Middle Ages and reflects an older form of English. It is often used in literature and formal writing, adding an air of sophistication to the expression of someone's ignorance about a particular fact or situation. 'Unbeknownst' has traditionally appeared alongside its variants, including 'unbeknown' and 'unbeknown to,' and it tends to evoke a sense of mystery or intrigue, especially in narratives where hidden truths are central to the plot.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,354 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.