How Do You Spell UNBEKNOWN?

Pronunciation: [ʌnbɪnˈə͡ʊn] (IPA)

"Unbeknown" is a word that means "unknown" or "without one's knowledge". Its spelling can be confusing because it follows the unusual pattern of starting with the prefix "un-" and ending with the suffix "-own", which isn't common in English. The word is pronounced [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊn], with stress on the second syllable. The "k" is silent, and the "e" before the "o" is pronounced like "i", as in "bit". Overall, "unbeknown" is a quirky word that requires careful attention to spelling and pronunciation.

UNBEKNOWN Meaning and Definition

1. Unbeknown is an adverb used to describe a situation or event that occurs without someone's knowledge or awareness. It suggests that someone is unaware of a particular fact or occurrence, typically due to it being intentionally kept secret or concealed.

   Derived from the phrase "unknown to someone" or "be unknown to someone," "unbeknown" emphasizes the lack of knowledge or awareness on the part of the individual concerned. It implies that the subject is oblivious to something happening in their surroundings or someone else's actions.

   For example, if someone is planning a surprise birthday party for their friend and the friend has no knowledge of it, they may say, "Little did he know, all his friends were planning a surprise party for him unbeknownst to him." In this context, "unbeknownst" emphasizes the element of surprise and the friend's complete lack of awareness of the hidden plans being made.

   The adverb "unbeknown" often conveys a sense of subtlety, secrecy, or unintentional lack of awareness, adding an element of intrigue or surprise to a situation. It is commonly employed in storytelling, anecdotes, or narratives to highlight the unexpected or unknown aspects of an event that unravel later.

Common Misspellings for UNBEKNOWN

• ynbeknown
• hnbeknown
• jnbeknown
• inbeknown
• 8nbeknown
• 7nbeknown
• ubbeknown
• umbeknown
• ujbeknown
• uhbeknown
• unveknown
• unneknown
• unheknown
• ungeknown
• unbwknown
• unbsknown
• unbdknown
• unbrknown
• unb4known

Etymology of UNBEKNOWN

The word unbeknown is derived from the prefix un- meaning not and the adjective beknown, which means known or familiar. The form beknown is an archaic variant of beknown, which is not used independently and is more commonly seen in combination with the prefix un-. Hence, unbeknown means not known or unknown. The word originated in Middle English, combining the Old English prefix un- with the Old English word beknown, ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Germanic root bi-, meaning around or by, and the Old English word cnawan, meaning to know.

Similar spelling word for UNBEKNOWN

• unbeknownst.