The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

Buy on Amazon

4.8

Improve Your Vocabulary Today!

oblivious

adjective

/əˈblɪvɪəs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of oblivious

Completely unaware or ignorant of something, typically important or significant, that is happening around you.
"They were oblivious to the fact that they had missed the deadline."

Detailed meaning of oblivious

When someone is oblivious, they are often absorbed in their own thoughts, distractions, or concerns to the extent that they fail to notice or comprehend events, details, or cues from their immediate environment. This term implies a lack of attentiveness, consciousness, or awareness, often leading to a failure to perceive or understand relevant information. It can be used to describe individuals who are unintentionally disconnected from their surroundings or who lack mindfulness about the world around them.

Example sentences containing oblivious

1. She walked through the city, oblivious to the bustling crowds.
2. He was oblivious to the fact that his phone was missing.
3. The driver remained oblivious to the car honking behind him.
4. They were oblivious to the impending storm as they picnicked.
5. She seemed oblivious to the gossip swirling around her.
6. He was oblivious to the changes happening in the company.

History and etymology of oblivious

The adjective 'oblivious' can be traced back to its Latin origin, specifically the Latin word 'obliviosus,' which is derived from 'oblivio,' meaning 'forgetfulness' or 'neglect.' In Latin, 'obliviosus' described a state of forgetfulness or being unmindful of something. Over time, as languages evolve, the concept of forgetfulness evolved to include a broader sense of being completely unaware or ignorant of one's surroundings or important events. The suffix '-ous' in English, denoting 'full of' or 'having the quality of,' was added to 'oblivio' to form 'oblivious.' Therefore, etymologically, 'oblivious' conveys the idea of being fully absorbed in forgetfulness or inattention, aligning with its modern definition of being completely unaware or ignorant of something significant happening around you.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the adjective oblivious:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of oblivious

1. The child remained oblivious to the adult conversation.
2. They danced under the stars, oblivious to the world.
3. She was oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.
4. He strolled through the historic town, oblivious to its stories.
5. The CEO appeared oblivious to the concerns of the employees.
6. The hiker was oblivious to the approaching wildlife.
7. She remained oblivious to the beauty of the landscape.
8. He was oblivious to the time and missed his appointment.
9. The young couple was oblivious to the passing hours.
10. The artist was completely oblivious to the passing of days.
11. The oblivious tourist wandered aimlessly through the city.
12. They laughed together, oblivious to the passing years.
13. She was oblivious to the fact that she was being watched.
14. He sat in the park, lost in thought, oblivious to the world.
15. She was oblivious to the danger of the situation.
16. He was oblivious to the fact that he was being rude.
17. She was oblivious to the fact that she was being followed.
18. They were oblivious to the fact that their behavior was causing offense.
19. He was oblivious to the fact that his phone was ringing.
20. She was oblivious to the fact that she was in the wrong.
21. He was oblivious to the fact that he had forgotten his wallet.
22. She was oblivious to the fact that the store was closed.
23. They were oblivious to the fact that they were not welcome.
24. He was oblivious to the fact that he was blocking the way for others.
25. They were oblivious to the impact of their actions on the environment.