adjective
Uncommon
oblivious
uh-BLIH-vee-uhs
Oblivious (adjective) means not aware of something happening around you. Example: “She was completely oblivious to the stares she was getting.”
adjective
1
Not aware of something happening around you.
"She was completely oblivious to the stares she was getting."
"He walked on, oblivious to the traffic building up behind him."
How to use oblivious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot noticing or realising what's going on around you.
Common mistake
Usually followed by "to" ("oblivious to the danger"), not "of."
Common pairings
oblivious to
blissfully oblivious
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more oblivious
- Superlative
- most oblivious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was completely _____ to the stares she was getting.
Etymology
From Latin obliviosus, "forgetful," from oblivium ("forgetfulness").
Related words
Rhymes for oblivious
See all rhymes for oblivious →Frequently asked questions
What does “oblivious” mean?
The word “oblivious” means not aware of something happening around you. In plain terms, not noticing or realising what's going on around you.
How do you pronounce “oblivious”?
“Oblivious” is pronounced uh-BLIH-vee-uhs (/əˈblɪviːəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “oblivious” in a sentence?
Here is “oblivious” used in a sentence: “She was completely oblivious to the stares she was getting.”
What part of speech is “oblivious”?
“Oblivious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “oblivious” come from?
The word “oblivious” comes from Latin. From Latin obliviosus, "forgetful," from oblivium ("forgetfulness").
Is “oblivious” a common word?
“Oblivious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
