The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

oblivion

IPA:

Dictionary definition of oblivion

The state of being completely forgotten or erased from memory, or completely unaware or unconscious of one's surroundings.
"The celebrity faded into oblivion after his scandalous behavior."

Detailed meaning of oblivion

It can also refer to a state of non-existence or annihilation, where something or someone has ceased to exist. Oblivion is often associated with a sense of loss or finality, as it suggests a state of no return or a complete absence of any trace or memory. This term is commonly used in contexts such as literature, philosophy, and psychology, where it is used to describe the ultimate fate of everything from individuals to entire civilizations. Overall, oblivion is a powerful concept that captures the idea of being completely erased or forgotten from existence, leaving no trace behind.

Example sentences containing oblivion

1. The once-famous actor faded into oblivion.
2. As time passed, their love story slipped into oblivion.
3. His achievements were destined for oblivion.
4. The old books were slowly decaying into oblivion.
5. The city's history was on the brink of oblivion.
6. He drank to drown his sorrows in a sea of oblivion.

History and etymology of oblivion

The noun 'oblivion' has its roots in Latin, specifically from the word 'oblivio,' which means 'forgetfulness' or 'oblivion.' This Latin term is derived from the verb 'oblivisci,' meaning 'to forget.' 'Oblivisci' is formed by combining the prefix 'ob-' (meaning 'against' or 'completely') with 'livor' (meaning 'envy' or 'malice'). The notion behind this etymology is that forgetfulness erases or stands against the influence of envy or malice. Over time, 'oblivio' transitioned into the English language as 'oblivion,' encapsulating the concept of being completely forgotten or unaware, and it has since been used to describe a state of being in which something or someone is erased from memory or consciousness.

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Further usage examples of oblivion

1. The ancient temple had been lost to oblivion for centuries.
2. The artist's work languished in the shadows of oblivion.
3. The soldier's bravery should never fade into oblivion.
4. Her name would not be consigned to oblivion.
5. The potion cast him into a deep oblivion.
6. The village had vanished into the annals of oblivion.
7. He stumbled through life, teetering on the edge of oblivion.
8. The tragedy threatened to engulf him in a shroud of oblivion.
9. The scientist's groundbreaking discovery was on the brink of oblivion.
10. His actions pushed their friendship to the brink of oblivion.
11. The treasure remained hidden, lost in the mists of oblivion.
12. The city's architecture was slowly fading into oblivion.
13. The ancient language had fallen into the abyss of oblivion.
14. As the years passed, his memory drifted into the depths of oblivion.
15. The old house fell into a state of oblivion after years of neglect.
16. The soldier fought valiantly, knowing that oblivion awaited him if he failed.
17. The lost city of Atlantis is said to have sunk into the depths of oblivion.
18. The hiker was one misstep away from tumbling into the oblivion of the canyon below.
19. The novelist wrote about the descent into oblivion of a once-prominent family.
20. The artist's work was almost lost to oblivion until it was rediscovered by a new generation.
21. The aging actor was terrified of facing oblivion and being forgotten by his fans.
22. The tyrant's reign of terror was eventually consigned to oblivion by the people he had oppressed.
23. The universe may ultimately succumb to oblivion as its energy is expended.
24. The amnesiac struggled to reclaim lost memories from the oblivion of their mind.
25. The student's bad grades threatened to send their academic career into oblivion.