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 of unconscious

Adjective

• cold
• 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

The person is lying down right now, seemingly unconscious, bicycle torn up. — Larry Seward, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Research published in Sage Journals demonstrated that emotions and moods transfer between people in groups through an unconscious process called emotional contagion, influencing cohesion, conflict, and overall unit performance. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Noun

Gates, who was Hicks' friend, eventually changed his story and told police that Hicks had knocked Rowe-Hicks unconscious, put her in the passenger seat of the car and drove it into the pond before jumping out. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026

Teen found unconscious in burning home Firefighters conducted a rapid search and found a 15-year-old unconscious on the second floor. — Tony Aiello, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1818, 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