oblivious

USAGE SUMMARY

'oblivious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "unaware or unmindful", and is often used in the phrase "to be oblivious to something." For example, "John was oblivious to the danger he was putting himself in while mountain climbing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He, determined to help wash dishes with an oblivious mama not acknowledging his signs for 'up!', found me and a lazy dog blocking his way.

The Guardian

Bray added: "In the end it was in a very obvious place so most people would just walk past oblivious, which would always make me giggle.

The Guardian - Arts

Marr, who mostly slept through his brushes with death, was oblivious to the dramas of his bedside and the potentially "catastrophic side-effects" of his post-stroke treatment.

The Guardian

The youth had a bread knife in his hand and once up beside the vehicle, oblivious to the jets of water directed at him, started to hack away at the tyres.

The Guardian

As a teenager, I did what all teenagers do and took them for granted, barely glancing at the photos on the walls, surveying the Honours Boards only for funny names, oblivious to the history seeping from the bricks into the very air I breathed – after all, where could I get a pint?

The Guardian - Sport

As Ulster loyalists torched offices belonging to the non-sectarian Alliance party, bombarded police with missiles and bottles and threatened to turn Belfast City Hall into a slaughterhouse this week they were oblivious to an apposite event occurring south of the Irish border.

The Guardian

In Palin's original post, she wrote that Trig had "made his stepping stone" when he encountered the "stumbling blocks" of an oblivious mother and a "lazy dog blocking his way".

The Guardian

The man continues to walk, oblivious, with me inching along behind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He sat at his keyboard in what he calls an "autistic" state, oblivious to the impact his words would have on the world, and in particular those close to him.

The Guardian - Books

King says he wasn't oblivious to the Mail's reputation before taking up the job.

The Guardian

For a prime minister already concerned about his reputation with female voters, Cameron has been remarkably oblivious to the problem here.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "oblivious," clarify what the subject is unaware of by using the preposition "to". For example: "She was oblivious to the danger."

Common error

Avoid using "oblivious" without clarifying what the subject is unaware of. For example, instead of saying "He was oblivious," specify "He was oblivious to the increasing tension in the room".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "oblivious" primarily functions as a descriptive term, denoting a lack of awareness or consciousness. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying the subject's state of unawareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "oblivious" is a common adjective used to describe a state of unawareness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions descriptively, highlighting a lack of perception or knowledge. Examples from various news sources show its frequent use in objective reporting. While grammatically correct, it's best practice to specify what the subject is "oblivious" to, ensuring clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaware

Focuses on a general lack of knowledge or perception.

unmindful

Emphasizes a lack of attention or consideration.

unconscious

Suggests a state of being unaware, often due to being preoccupied or distracted.

clueless

Informal term for being completely ignorant or uninformed.

ignorant

Highlights a lack of knowledge about a particular subject or situation.

heedless

Implies a disregard for warnings or potential consequences.

inattentive

Focuses on a failure to pay attention to something.

unperceptive

Highlights a lack of insight or understanding.

forgetful

Stresses the inability to remember or recall information.

out of touch

Indicates a lack of current knowledge or understanding of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "oblivious" in a sentence?

You can use "oblivious" to describe someone who is unaware of something happening around them. For instance, "The tourist was "oblivious to" the pickpocket operating nearby".

What's a more formal synonym for "oblivious"?

A more formal synonym for "oblivious" is "unaware". Both words indicate a lack of knowledge or perception, but "unaware" often carries a slightly more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say someone is "oblivious of" something?

While less common, it's grammatically acceptable to say someone is "oblivious of" something, though ""oblivious to"" is the more prevalent and often preferred usage in modern English.

What is the difference between "oblivious" and "inattentive"?

"Oblivious" implies a complete lack of awareness, while "inattentive" suggests a failure to pay attention. Someone inattentive might notice something eventually, but someone oblivious is entirely unaware from the start.