unbeknownst — 1833, vulgar formation from UNBEKNOWN (Cf. unbeknown) (1630s). No clear reason for the st, but since 19c. this has become the dominant form … Etymology dictionary
unbeknownst — also unbeknown adjective Etymology: 1un + obsolete English beknown known; unbeknownst, irregular from unbeknown Date: 1636 1. happening or existing without the knowledge of someone specified usually used with to < unbeknownst to us rumors were… … New Collegiate Dictionary
unbeknownst — adj. (formal) (cannot stand alone) unbeknownst to * * * (formal) (cannot stand alone) unbeknownst to … Combinatory dictionary
unbeknownst — I adjective (usually used with to ) occurring or existing without the knowledge of a crisis unbeknown to me she had been ill for months, unbeknownst to the family • Syn: ↑unbeknown • Similar to: ↑unknown … Useful english dictionary
unbeknownst — un·be·knownst (ŭn bĭ nōnstʹ) adj. Unbeknown. adv. Without the knowledge of a specified party. Used with to: Our cousin had been ill for years, unbeknownst to the family. [unbeknown + st(as in amongst).] * * * … Universalium
unbeknownst — adverb (followed by to) Without the knowledge of. He went home early, unbeknownst to his mother … Wiktionary
unbeknownst — unbeknown UK [ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊn] / US [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊn] or unbeknownst UK [ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊnst] / US [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊnst] adjective unbeknown to someone … English dictionary
unbeknownst/unbeknown to — without being known about by (someone) Unbeknownst to the students, the teacher had entered the room. [=the students did not know/realize that the teacher had entered the room] ◇ In U.S. English unbeknownst is more common than unbeknown. In Brit … Useful english dictionary
unbeknownst — adj. unknown, without knowledge … English contemporary dictionary
unbeknownst — un·be·knownst … English syllables
