oblivious
Americanadjective
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unmindful; unconscious; unaware (usually followed by of orto ).
She was oblivious of his admiration.
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forgetful; without remembrance or memory.
oblivious of my former failure.
-
Archaic. inducing forgetfulness.
adjective
Usage
It was formerly considered incorrect to use oblivious to mean unaware , but this use is now acceptable
Synonym Usage
See absent-minded.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of oblivious
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin oblīviōsus “forgetful,” equivalent to oblīvī(scī) “to forget” + -ōsus -ous ( def. )
Explanation
If you don't notice or aren't aware, it means that the adjective oblivious applies to you! When we think of the adjective oblivious, it is usually in situations that involve being totally unaware of what's staring us right in the face. It can also mean being forgetful and absent-minded. The cartoon character Mr. Magoo is a perfect example of someone who is oblivious; his eyesight is so bad that he always gets himself into various scrapes and mishaps. For example, Mr. Magoo mistakes an airplane for a theater and instead of watching a movie, he takes a seat on a departing airplane!
Vocabulary lists containing oblivious
List 4
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A Raisin in the Sun
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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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.
At the other end of the assemblage, a couple sits at a diner counter, oblivious to the unfolding ceremony.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Their first game is against Haiti, but some of the Tartan Army have arrived to be greeted by Americans who are oblivious to the reason they are here.
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
And she adds: “The court’s apparently oblivious insistence to the contrary today cannot be squared with what Callais said on its face just over one month ago.”
From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026
Other firefighters, the claim alleges, were on duty inside the building the entire time — apparently oblivious.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026
Nine, oblivious to the Recollection, said, “Then don’t go, fox. Just… stay here. Who’s to stop you? You’ve got to think for yourself. Be your own boss.”
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
