unwittingly
/ʌnˈwɪtɪŋli/ (bre, ipa) · [ənwˈɪtɪŋli] /ʌnˈwɪtɪŋli/ (ame, ipa) · [ənwˈɪtɪŋli] /ˌən-ˈwi-tiŋ How to pronounce unwitting (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unwittingly — adverb
1. used to describe an action done without the person intending it or realising wha
used to describe an action done without the person intending it or realising what they are doing — for instance, saying something hurtful without knowing it would be upsetting.
Marco unwittingly offended his colleague by making a joke about her accent.
adverb + past-tense verb — unintended social action
The Watanabe family unwittingly became involved in the argument when they tried to help.
Diya unwittingly revealed her friend's home address when she shared a photo online.
Kian unwittingly left his notebook at the café, and a stranger found it.
The new traffic law unwittingly caused long delays for bus riders across the city.
- inadvertently
more formal; stresses lack of attention rather than lack of knowledge
- unknowingly
focuses on not having the relevant information
- accidentally
broader; covers both unintended physical events and social mistakes
- knowingly
with full awareness of what one is doing
- deliberately
on purpose
文法句型
unwittingly + verb (describing unintended action)
用法筆記
The adverb stresses that the action was not deliberate, though the person who acted may be held responsible for the outcome. Avoid using it for purely mechanical accidents (use 'accidentally' instead) — unwittingly implies a lack of awareness rather than a loss of control.
常見錯誤
unwittingly — adjective
- unwittinglypositive
- more unwittinglycomparative
- most unwittinglysuperlative
1. not realising that you are connected with something that is happening; not knowi
not realising that you are connected with something that is happening; not knowing a fact that affects you — for example, being an unwitting participant in a plan you know nothing about.
Antonia was an unwitting witness to the argument between her two friends.
unwitting + role noun (witness, participant, victim)
Jiwoo was an unwitting helper in the office prank, not knowing the plan.
Many older adults are unwitting victims of phone scams that sound official.
The driver was an unwitting cause of the jam when his tyre blew.
Vikram realised he was an unwitting guest at a party meant for a different group.
文法句型
unwitting + noun (person role)
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively before a noun that names a role (victim, witness, participant, cause, accomplice). Not commonly used predicatively ('he was unwitting' would sound unusual).
常見錯誤
2. happening or done without the person meaning it; not planned or intended — used
happening or done without the person meaning it; not planned or intended — used especially of a remark, action, or effect that causes a problem without the person realising it would.
The comedian's unwitting insult upset several people in the front row.
unwitting + noun describing unintended utterance
Dario's unwitting mention of the surprise party nearly ruined the celebration.
The report contained an unwitting error that misled readers for months.
Nala's unwitting joke about her boss's new hairstyle made everyone at the table freeze.
Gabriel's unwitting disclosure of the surprise visit drew angry stares from his sister.
- inadvertent
more precise; the closest synonym
- unintentional
common; can describe both actions and results
- accidental
broader; can describe events with no human intention at all
- intentional
done on purpose
- deliberate
planned and intended
文法句型
unwitting + noun (action, utterance, or outcome)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes a person's state (unawareness), while sense 2 describes the quality of an action or utterance (unintended). 'An unwitting remark' = a remark that was not meant to cause harm; 'an unwitting participant' = a person who did not know they were involved.