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oblivious
/əˈblɪviəs/
unaware
She was completely oblivious to the loud noise behind her.
She had no awareness of the loud noise happening behind her.
neutral
not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one
The driver was oblivious to the traffic signs.
The driver did not notice or pay attention to the traffic signs.
He remained oblivious to the growing tension in the room.
He did not realize or acknowledge the increasing tension around him.
Often used to describe a lack of awareness of physical surroundings, social cues, or emotional states.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'oblivious'
While 'oblivious' is a strong word, it can sound dramatic if overused. Consider alternatives like 'unaware' or 'ignorant' for less intense contexts.
Gold Rule
Use 'oblivious' for situational unawareness
Oblivious is best used when someone fails to notice something in a specific moment or context, not as a general personality trait.
Word Origin
From Latin *obliviosus*, derived from *oblivisci* (to forget), related to *ob-* (over) and *-livisci* (to forget). The word entered English in the 15th century with the sense of forgetful before shifting to its current meaning.
Usage Notes
Oblivious is often used to describe a temporary or situational lack of awareness, rather than a permanent state. It can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a failure to notice something important or obvious.
Word Breakdown
ob-
prefix meaning 'over' or 'against'
prefix-liv-
root related to 'forget'
root-ious
suffix forming adjectives meaning 'full of' or 'having the quality of'
suffixEnglish Dictionary