unbeknownst

adjective

un·be·knownst ˌən-bi-ˈnōn(t)st How to pronounce unbeknownst (audio)

variants or less commonly unbeknown

ˌən-bi-ˈnōn How to pronounce unbeknownst (audio)

: happening or existing without the knowledge of someone specified

—usually used with to

unbeknownst to us rumors were flying

: unknown

Did you know?

Unbeknownst is an irregular variant of the older unbeknown, which derives from beknown, an obsolete synonym of known. But for a word with a straightforward history, unbeknownst and the now less common unbeknown have caused quite a stir among usage commentators. In spite of widespread use (including appearances in the writings of Charles Dickens, A. E. Housman, and E. B. White), the grammarian H. W. Fowler in 1926 categorized the two words as "out of use except in dialect or uneducated speech." The following year, G. P. Krapp called them "humorous, colloquial, and dialectal." Our evidence, however, shows that both words are standard even in formal prose.

Example Sentences

unbeknownst to me, my mother was planning a party

Recent Examples on the Web The inception of Gordon’s return to the track, unbeknownst to him, came when drove a 902 Cup Car Don Cusick of Cusick Motorsports had recently bought.

Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2022 Chris Parker was playing softball on the south side of Indy four years ago and, unbeknownst to him, a fellow player was watching him.

The Indianapolis Star, 23 Aug. 2022 Manchin and Schumer, unbeknownst to many of their colleagues, resumed discussions on July 18, just four days after their talks appeared to have failed.

Eli Stokolsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022 Fentanyl overdoses, meanwhile, have proliferated nationwide in recent years as the illicit drug has made its way into counterfeit pills – almost always unbeknownst to users.

Bradford Betz, Fox News, 31 July 2022 However, McCraw said the teacher had closed the door, but unbeknownst to her, it could be locked only from the outside.

CBS News, 22 June 2022 However, McCraw said that the teacher had closed the door, but unbeknownst to her, it could be locked only from the outside.

Jim Vertuno And Jake Bleiberg, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2022 At the conclusion of the program, the teachers asked Goodall to step up to the mic to sing — a moment that, unbeknownst to Goodall, would wind up spreading joy across the internet.

Fox News, 21 July 2022 Madison LeCroy and Venita Aspen threw a joint, girls-only garden party to celebrate their birthdays, and unbeknownst to Venita, Madison invited Kathryn and Olivia.

Dana Rose Falcone, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2022 See More

单词	unbeknownst
释义	unbeknownst adjective un·be·knownst ˌən-bi-ˈnōn(t)st variants or less commonly unbeknown ˌən-bi-ˈnōn 1 : happening or existing without the knowledge of someone specified —usually used with to unbeknownst to us rumors were flying 2 : unknown Did you know? Unbeknownst is an irregular variant of the older unbeknown, which derives from beknown, an obsolete synonym of known. But for a word with a straightforward history, unbeknownst and the now less common unbeknown have caused quite a stir among usage commentators. In spite of widespread use (including appearances in the writings of Charles Dickens, A. E. Housman, and E. B. White), the grammarian H. W. Fowler in 1926 categorized the two words as "out of use except in dialect or uneducated speech." The following year, G. P. Krapp called them "humorous, colloquial, and dialectal." Our evidence, however, shows that both words are standard even in formal prose. Synonyms unknown See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences unbeknownst to me, my mother was planning a party Recent Examples on the Web The inception of Gordon’s return to the track, unbeknownst to him, came when drove a 902 Cup Car Don Cusick of Cusick Motorsports had recently bought. Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2022 Chris Parker was playing softball on the south side of Indy four years ago and, unbeknownst to him, a fellow player was watching him. The Indianapolis Star, 23 Aug. 2022 Manchin and Schumer, unbeknownst to many of their colleagues, resumed discussions on July 18, just four days after their talks appeared to have failed. Eli Stokolsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022 Fentanyl overdoses, meanwhile, have proliferated nationwide in recent years as the illicit drug has made its way into counterfeit pills – almost always unbeknownst to users. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 31 July 2022 However, McCraw said the teacher had closed the door, but unbeknownst to her, it could be locked only from the outside. CBS News, 22 June 2022 However, McCraw said that the teacher had closed the door, but unbeknownst to her, it could be locked only from the outside. Jim Vertuno And Jake Bleiberg, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2022 At the conclusion of the program, the teachers asked Goodall to step up to the mic to sing — a moment that, unbeknownst to Goodall, would wind up spreading joy across the internet. Fox News, 21 July 2022 Madison LeCroy and Venita Aspen threw a joint, girls-only garden party to celebrate their birthdays, and unbeknownst to Venita, Madison invited Kathryn and Olivia. Dana Rose Falcone, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology un- entry 1 + obsolete English beknown known; unbeknownst, irregular from unbeknown First Known Use 1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing unbeknownst unbeknownst to unbeknownst to Kids Definition unbeknownst adjective un·be·knownst ˌən-bi-ˈnōnst variants also unbeknown -ˈnōn : happening without someone's knowledge : unknown Unbeknownst to him, we were planning a surprise party. unbeknownst adjective variants also unbeknown as in unknown happening or existing without one's knowledge unbeknownst to me, my mother was planning a party Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance unknown unaware unsuspecting unfamiliar unsuspected unrecognized ignorant unwitting unknowing unmindful unacquainted unconscious unperceived
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unbeknownst

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing unbeknownst

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective