unawares meaning and definition

UNAWARES adverb

Definition of unawares (adverb)

1. without forethought or plan; inadvertently
   • "came upon the diamond unawares"
2. suddenly and unexpectedly
   • "rain caught them unawares"; "sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bittered agony because it takes them unawares"- A.Lincoln
3. at a disadvantage
   • "I was caught short"
   • synonyms: short