unknowing

Everyday

1. Unknowing means not knowing or not aware of what is happening, often of something important. tree →
2. An unknowing helper does something without realising what it is part of. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and mysteries: an unknowing victim, an unknowing helper, unknowing of danger. In science: germs can be spread by unknowing carriers. It tells the reader a character does not know what the reader knows (dramatic irony). The adverb «unknowingly» is very common.

Examples

• The unknowing guard let the thief into the castle. tree →
• She was unknowing of the surprise party. tree →
• Germs can be spread by unknowing people with no symptoms. tree →
• The unknowing fish swam towards the hook. tree →
• He unknowingly took the wrong bag home. tree →
• The cat sat unknowing on the remote control. tree →

Note

Close to «unaware» and «unwitting». The adverb is «unknowingly». Different from «unknown» (not known to others).