Oblivious

Oblivious

Adjective · /əˈblɪv.i.əs/

Definition

Not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one; unaware; unmindful; lacking all memory or consciousness of something — typically followed by 'to' or 'of'.

Origin

From Latin obliviosus (forgetful, causing forgetfulness), from oblivio (forgetfulness, the state of being forgotten), from oblivisci (to forget: ob- (against, over) + levis (smooth) or possibly from a root related to livere, to be smooth/pale — the metaphor being of a slate wiped smooth). The same root gives oblivion. Originally meaning forgetful or pertaining to forgetting; the modern shift to simply unaware of one's surroundings occurring as oblivion's sense of unawareness was back-projected onto the adjective.