unconsciously
Americanadverb
-
unintentionally and without realizing what one is doing.
Unconsciously, almost in spite of herself, she sighed.
-
at a level below that of conscious thought.
Children are unconsciously influenced by the appearance and personalities of their parents to choose partners who resemble them.
-
without any awareness, sensation, or cognition at all.
As her mind drifted into a cloud of darkness and she lost all feeling, her body unconsciously fought the force of gravity pushing against it.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unconsciously
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Explanation
When you do something unconsciously, you're not completely aware that you're doing it. You might not realize you've been unconsciously chewing your fingernails until you notice your nibbled nail polish. The adverb unconsciously comes from unconscious, which is often used to mean "not awake" but was originally defined as "unaware," from a Latin root meaning "be aware." So whenever you do something without being fully aware of it, you're doing it unconsciously. This could be anything from unconsciously peppering your speech with "uh" and "um" to unconsciously twirling your hair when you're concentrating on something.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some of them spit saliva on you unconsciously, especially if you are seated not far from them, and they are a nuisance in terms of noise and saliva.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
There was something unconsciously fitting about it all: the spectacle of one old media company offering a platform to an icon of another to say something unhinged, self-obsessed and divorced from reality.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
He worried that knowing the expected value might unconsciously influence his analysis.
From Science Daily ● May 18, 2026
Some films cast the King of the Monsters as a protector unconsciously joining humanity – and occasionally, King Kong – to fend off some mammoth existential evil.
From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2026
Jo couldn’t help smiling at the important air which Meg had unconsciously assumed and which was as becoming as the pretty color varying in her cheeks.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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