unconscious

1 of 2

adjective

un·​con·​scious ˌən-ˈkän(t)-shəs 

1

a

: having lost consciousness

was unconscious for three days

b(1)

: not marked by conscious thought, sensation, or feeling

unconscious motivation

(2)

: of or relating to the unconscious

c

: not possessing mind or consciousness

unconscious matter

2

a

: not knowing or perceiving : not aware

b

: free from self-awareness

3

: not consciously held or deliberately planned or carried out

an unconscious bias

unconsciously adverb

unconsciousness noun

unconscious

2 of 2

noun

: the part of mental life that does not ordinarily enter the individual's awareness yet may influence behavior and perception or be revealed (as in slips of the tongue or in dreams)

Synonyms

Adjective

• cold
• insensible
• senseless

Examples of unconscious in a Sentence

Adjective

He was knocked unconscious by a fall.

She was unconscious for three days after the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Yet recent research has shown just how quickly initial impressions can form — and just how unconscious our judgments can be. —Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Alicia was unconscious after having just been strangled by Valter, while Lejla was trapped inside the chamber, bleeding from banging her head against the glass. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

The 1968 revolution was a revelation of the French unconscious. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025

Lynch’s film also fulfills the conceptual implications of the director’s own lifelong exploration of his own unconscious, of his own spontaneous and extravagant imaginings. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

circa 1912, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unconscious

• collective unconscious

Rhymes for unconscious

• conscious
• preconscious
• subconscious

Kids Definition

unconscious

1 of 2 adjective

un·​con·​scious ˌən-ˈkän-chəs 

ˈən-

1

: not aware

unconscious of having made a mistake

2

: having lost consciousness

knocked unconscious by a fall

3

: not realized : not consciously done

an unconscious mistake

unconscious humor

unconsciously adverb

unconsciousness noun

unconscious

2 of 2 noun

: the part of one's mental life of which one is not aware but which may influence behavior

Medical Definition

unconscious

1 of 2 adjective

un·​con·​scious ˌən-ˈkän-chəs 

1

: not marked by conscious thought, sensation, or feeling

unconscious motivation

2

: of or relating to the unconscious

3

: having lost consciousness

was unconscious for three days

unconsciously adverb

unconsciousness noun

unconscious

2 of 2 noun

: the part of mental life that is not ordinarily integrated or available to consciousness yet may be manifested as a motive force in overt behavior (as in neurosis) and is often revealed (as through dreams, slips of the tongue, or dissociated acts) compare subconscious