the out-of-state motorist claimed to be oblivious of the local speed limit, even though the signs must have been hard to miss
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oblivious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oblivious usually has to do with not being conscious or aware of someone or something. When used with this meaning, it can be followed by either to or of:
The cat had crept in silently, and we were oblivious to its presence in the room.
There was no chance that anyone could be oblivious of the dog, though; it greeted everyone in the room with frisky leaps.
Oblivious can also have to do with forgetfulness, and when it's used this way, it is often followed by of (but not to):
The child had brought in a snake she'd discovered in the garden, oblivious of the promise she'd made to leave all found creatures outside.
Whatever meaning of oblivious you choose to use, the noun that correlates with this adjective is obliviousness:
Our obliviousness to the cat's presence in the room was quickly corrected by the dog's discovery of the cat under the chair.
The noun oblivion is related to both, of course, but it is not the noun form of oblivious.
First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearclueless, ignorant, incognizant, innocent, insensible, nescient, unacquainted, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unknowing, unmindful, unwitting;
acquainted, aware, cognizant, conscious, conversant, grounded, informed, knowing, mindful, witting;
uneducated, unschooled, untaught;
absent, absentminded, abstracted, heedless, inattentive, inconscient;
in the dark;
: not conscious or aware of someone or something
See words that rhyme with oblivious Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oblivious Spanish Central: Translation of oblivious Nglish: Translation of oblivious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oblivious for Arabic speakers
What made you want to look up oblivious? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔
Take the quiz
Surprisingly specific words for shapes.
Take the quiz
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
