# unaware

/ˌənəˈwɛɹ/ (US) · /ˌʌnəwˈeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unaware
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. not knowing a fact

adjective · CEFR B2

not knowing that something exists or is happening.

For teachers: lacking knowledge or information about a specific situation or fact; often followed by the preposition 'of'.

- She was completely unaware of the surprise party her friends were planning.
- The investors remained largely unaware of the internal structural issues until the company's annual report was leaked to the press.

Usage: Commonly used in the pattern 'unaware of something' or 'unaware that...'.

### 2. not noticing surroundings

adjective · CEFR B2

not noticing what is happening around you because you are busy or distracted.

For teachers: failing to perceive or notice sensory stimuli or environmental changes; oblivious.

- He walked across the street, totally unaware of the car coming toward him.
- Deeply absorbed in her research, she seemed entirely unaware of the rising noise levels in the library around her.

## Examples

- He was completely unaware of the surprise party.
- The hikers were unaware that a storm was approaching until the sky turned dark and the wind picked up.
- Many consumers remain blissfully unaware of the complex global supply chains required to deliver seasonal produce to their local supermarkets year-round.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.