unawares
/ˌʌnəˈwɛə(ɹ)z/ adverb
- adverb Unexpectedly or by surprise. “Your question catches/takes me unawares, I don't know the answer right now...”
- adverb Inadvertently. “I'm afraid I've taken the wrong coat, unawares.”
- adverb Without plan or forethought.
Synonyms
Etymology
From unaware + -s (adverbial suffix). Attested earlier than unaware.
Webster’s 1913
- , Without design or preparation; suddenly; without premeditation, unexpectedly. "Mercies lighting unawares." J. H. Newman.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “unawares”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details