What does unawares mean?
Unawares is a formal or literary adverb meaning “unexpectedly,” especially in the established expression “taken unawares,” where someone is surprised without warning. It can also convey being unaware, although that older or more restricted use is much less common in standard modern English. The word is most natural with verbs such as “taken” or “caught,” and it has a slightly old-fashioned literary quality rather than the neutral force of ordinary words like “unexpectedly.” It should not be confused with the adjective “unaware,” which is the normal choice when a person is ignorant of something: “unaware of the change,” not “unawares of the change.” Although the spelling ends in -s, the standard form functions as an adverb rather than as a plural noun. In familiar discussion, “caught off guard” or “taken by surprise” often conveys the same idea more plainly, making “unawares” particularly useful for vivid, economical prose.
adverbUnexpectedly or without warning, especially in the expressions “taken unawares” and “caught unawares.” In older or more restricted usage, it can also mean unaware.
- Unexpectedly, without warning, or by surprise, especially in the expressions “taken unawares” and “caught unawares.”
- Unaware or not knowing; now chiefly archaic or restricted in standard modern usage.
"The sudden announcement took the guests unawares."
"The sudden question took the minister unawares."
"A reporter caught the team unawares before they could prepare a statement."
Although it ends in -s, unawares is normally an adverb, not a plural noun: “taken unawares” means caught completely by surprise.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unawares come from?
Unawares was formed in English from un- + aware + -s and became established in expressions such as “taken unawares,” where it means unexpectedly or by surprise. Its stem aware comes from Old English gewǣre, “aware” or “having knowledge,” and is related to wary through the common Germanic root associated with being watchful or careful. The same root underlies cognates such as ware and wary, while awareness and unawareness are later English derivatives.
How unawares is actually used
The word has a formal, literary, or slightly old-fashioned tone. Outside the established passive constructions, it can sound dated or dialectal. It is not normally used before “of”; use “unaware of” in that construction.
Easily confused with unawares
Unaware is the ordinary adjective meaning not knowing or not paying attention, whereas unawares is normally an adverb used especially in the expressions “taken unawares” and “caught unawares.”