oblivion
Americannoun
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the state of being completely forgotten or unknown.
a former movie star now in oblivion.
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the state of forgetting or of being oblivious.
the oblivion of sleep.
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the act or process of dying out; complete annihilation or extinction.
If we don't preserve their habitat, the entire species will pass into oblivion.
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Archaic. official disregard or overlooking of offenses; pardon; amnesty.
noun
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the condition of being forgotten or disregarded
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the state of being mentally withdrawn or blank
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law an intentional overlooking, esp of political offences; amnesty; pardon
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of oblivion
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin oblīviōn-, stem of oblīviō “a forgetting,” equivalent to oblīv(īscī) “to forget” + -iō -ion; see ob-
Explanation
Oblivion is the state of being forgotten. Your uncle dreamed of being a rock star, but after recording one hit song, he faded into oblivion. Oblivion can also mean "total forgetfulness" — like what patients with dementia or new parents feel. If you find yourself putting the crackers in the fridge and milk in the cupboards, or forgetting your own phone number, you might be experiencing oblivion. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Vocabulary lists containing oblivion
Grade 9, List 1
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Fahrenheit 451
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100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
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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.
Richard Vague’s “The Banker Who Made America” rescues Willing from oblivion, declaring his subject “the most powerful figure in early American history that you’ve likely never heard of.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
But while “Renoir” features no sci-fi elements, the nearness of oblivion remains just as prominent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
As he moves deeper and finds scattered, malformed remnants of his past inside the chartreuse oblivion, Clark makes a Faustian pact with whatever entities are inside the Backrooms.
From Salon ● May 30, 2026
In a statement last week, she said: "We will not allow the blood of these dear ones to be consigned to oblivion or the truth to be lost in the dust."
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2026
He had tossed and turned all day, prowling the bed like an animal seeking sleep, oblivion.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
