unknowing

IPA/ʌnˈnəʊɪŋ/
KK[ənnˈoɪŋ]IPA/ʌnˈnəʊɪŋ/

unknowing — adjective

  • unknowingpositive
  • more unknowingcomparative
  • most unknowingsuperlative

1. having no idea that something is happening or that you are taking part in it

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

having no idea that something is happening or that you are taking part in it

Example

Christopher signed the form as an unknowing witness to the whole scam.

unknowing + noun: describes someone without awareness

Many travellers became unknowing carriers of the disease across the border.

unknowing + noun for an unaware participant

Common collocations
  • unknowing victim
  • unknowing accomplice
  • unknowing participant
Synonyms
  • unaware

    more common and works after 'be'; everyday register

  • unwitting

    near-identical; stresses doing something without intending it

  • oblivious

    stronger; suggests failing to notice what is obvious

Antonyms
  • aware

    knowing that something exists or is happening

  • knowing

    showing that you understand a secret or hidden meaning

Grammar Patterns

unknowing + noun

unknowing of + noun

Usage Note

Almost always placed before a noun (an unknowing accomplice) or followed by 'of'. Distinguish from 'unknown', which describes what is not known rather than the person who does not know.

Common Mistakes

She was completely unknowing about the surprise.
She was completely unaware of the surprise.
'unknowing' usually sits before a noun; use 'unaware of' for the predicative meaning.

unknowing — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These four words all describe someone who does not realise something, but they differ in tone and use. 'Unaware' is the plain, everyday choice and sits comfortably after 'be': she was unaware of the risk. 'Unknowing' is more formal and usually comes before a noun, often hinting that the person was used by others: an unknowing accomplice. 'Unwitting' is very close to 'unknowing' but stresses that an action was done without intention: an unwitting mistake. 'Oblivious' is the strongest; it suggests failing to notice something that is right in front of you: oblivious to the noise, he kept reading. Choose 'unaware' for ordinary speech, 'unknowing' or 'unwitting' for formal writing about people drawn into events, and 'oblivious' when the point is that the obvious was missed.

unknowing ↗unaware ↗unwittingoblivious ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • unknowing victim
  • unknowing accomplice
  • unknowing participant

Phrases

  • a sense of unknowing

Prepositions

  • unknowing of

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed in English by adding the negative prefix 'un-' to 'knowing', the present participle of the very old verb 'know'. The 'un-' prefix, meaning 'not', has been used this way since the earliest English. So 'unknowing' literally means 'not knowing', and it has worked as both an adjective and a noun for centuries.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined above Noun