First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
oblivious
adjective obliv·i·ous \ə-ˈbli-vē-əs\
: not conscious or aware of someone or something
Full Definition of OBLIVIOUS
1
: lacking remembrance, memory, or mindful attention
2
: lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness —usually used with of or to
— obliv·i·ous·ly adverb
— obliv·i·ous·ness noun
See oblivious defined for English-language learners
See oblivious defined for kids
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Examples of OBLIVIOUS
- They were pushing and shouting and oblivious to anyone not in their group. —P. J. O'Rourke, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 1996
- Prentice looked up from his food, which he had been steadily shovelling in, completely oblivious of everyone. —Antonya Nelson, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 1992
- Oblivious of any previous decisions not to stand together … , the three stood in a tight group … —Doris Lessing, The Good Terrorist, 1985
- Father was oblivious to the man's speculative notice of his wife. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
- She rested now, frankly and fairly, in the shelter of his arms, and both were oblivious to the gale that rushed past them in quicker and stronger blasts. —Jack London, Burning Daylight, 1910
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Origin of OBLIVIOUS
(see oblivion)
Related to OBLIVIOUS
- Synonyms
- clueless, incognizant, innocent, insensible, nescient, ignorant, unacquainted, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unknowing, unmindful, unwitting
- Antonyms
- acquainted, aware, cognizant, conscious, conversant, grounded, informed, knowing, mindful, witting
Rhymes with OBLIVIOUS
OBLIVIOUS Defined for Kids
oblivious
adjective obliv·i·ous \ə-ˈbli-vē-əs\
Definition of OBLIVIOUS for Kids
: not being conscious or aware <The boys were oblivious to the danger.>
— obliv·i·ous·ly adverb
Learn More About OBLIVIOUS
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