Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

unconsciousness

British  
/ ʌnˈkɒnʃəsnɪs /

noun

  1. the state of being without normal sensory awareness; insensibility

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Explanation

Unconsciousness is a state of being unaware of what's going on around you, either because you're not awake or because you're simply oblivious. If you fall asleep during a movie, and your unconsciousness means you'll miss the ending. Even if everyone in your family is mad at each other, your little cousin's unconsciousness of the argument might make it easier to have a peaceful Thanksgiving. And after the meal, the great quantities of food eaten may result in the unconsciousness of half the guests, who doze in the living room, snoring softly. In both kinds of unconsciousness, someone isn't conscious, or aware, of their surroundings.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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.

See Examples For:

It is also unclear whether similar language processing occurs during sleep or coma, two conditions that differ significantly from medically induced unconsciousness.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

According to the prosecutor's office, medical reports also suggested Payne may have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2024

At the higher doses that cause unconsciousness, those gamma waves became periodically interrupted by "down" states where only very slow frequency delta waves occur.

From Science Daily ● May 21, 2024

It has an element of unconsciousness, like in any dream.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2024

Emma talked to Millard as we paddled, making him answer questions so he wouldn’t drift into unconsciousness.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com