adj
unbeknownst
uhn-bih-NOHNST
Unbeknownst (adj) means Without the knowledge of someone; unknown to them. Example: “Unbeknownst to his parents, he had already dropped the class.”
adj
1
Without the knowledge of someone; unknown to them.
"He went home early, unbeknownst to his mother."
"Unbeknownst to his parents, he had already dropped the class."
How to use unbeknownst
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening without a particular person knowing about it.
When to use it
Almost always used in the fixed phrase "unbeknownst to [someone]," and leans slightly formal or literary.
Common pairings
unbeknownst to him
unbeknownst to us
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_____ to his parents, he had already dropped the class.
Etymology
A variant of the older word "unbeknown," with an extra "-st" added the same way it was tacked onto words like "amongst" and "amidst."
Synonyms
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unbeknown
unknown
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “unbeknownst” mean?
The word “unbeknownst” means without the knowledge of someone; unknown to them. In plain terms, happening without a particular person knowing about it.
How do you pronounce “unbeknownst”?
“Unbeknownst” is pronounced uhn-bih-NOHNST (/ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊnst/ in IPA).
How do you use “unbeknownst” in a sentence?
Here is “unbeknownst” used in a sentence: “Unbeknownst to his parents, he had already dropped the class.”
What part of speech is “unbeknownst”?
“Unbeknownst” is an adjective.
