oblivious

What does “oblivious” mean?

adjective.not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.

SAT Usage

the term often appears in passages discussing social dynamics or personal relationships, highlighting a character's lack of awareness regarding their surroundings or the feelings of others. It emphasizes a sense of detachment or ignorance, which can differ from words like "unaware," as it suggests a more profound, often willful neglect of reality rather than simply lacking knowledge.

Common Confusions

Oblivious implies a deeper, often willful ignorance of one's surroundings, while unaware usually suggests a simple lack of knowledge or awareness without the connotation of neglect.

Example Sentences

• She walked past, oblivious to the chaos around her.

Word Parts: How to Remember “oblivious”

Break “oblivious” into its parts: ob- (against, toward). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ob- against, toward (Latin)