adjective

unwitting

un-WIT-ing/ʌnˈwɪtɪŋ/

Not aware of the facts or their significance.

The unwitting man tips a vase with the board behind his back.

A man walks forward carrying a long wooden board, unaware that its trailing end is tipping a vase off a small table behind his back.

Etymology

unOld Englishnot

+wittEnglishknow

+ingMiddle Englishpresent-participle adjective

The verb wit means “know,” making unwitting literally “not knowing.” When people act unwittingly, that lack of knowledge concerns what they are doing or the facts and consequences involved.

In context

Plainly Difficult244:09

What all aboard don't know is that in just a few minutes, only one would still be alive, as they have become unwitting participants in the world's worst cable car disaster.

Rewind Year 7 of Plainly Difficult | Youtube Omnibus

More examples

Her unwitting mistake revealed the surprise.
The courier was unwitting about the package’s significance.
They had been unwitting accomplices.

Forms

unwitting · more unwitting · most unwitting

Similar words

unaware: Unaware is the ordinary equivalent; unwitting often describes involvement in consequences one does not understand.
unintentional: Unintentional means not planned; unwitting specifically means lacking relevant awareness.