ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unconscious

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˌənˈkɑnʃəs// UK //ʌnkˈɒnʃəs// un·con·scious General-service

n. the part of your mind that stores feelings, thoughts, and memories you are not aware of. It influences how you act even when you do not realize it.

n. the part of the psyche which is not available to immediate introspection but which influences behavior and emotion. Often used in psychoanalytic contexts to describe the repository of repressed desires and memories.


SIMPLE

The dream revealed a fear hidden in his unconscious.

CONTEXTUAL

Psychologists believe that many of our daily habits are driven by the unconscious rather than by logical choices.

COMPLEX

While the conscious mind focuses on immediate tasks, the unconscious processes a vast amount of sensory data and emotional history that shapes our long-term personality.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + conscious.

Usage

Usually takes the definite article 'the' when referring to the psychological concept.

Pitfall

He fell into an unconscious.He fell into unconsciousness.The noun 'unconscious' refers to a part of the mind; 'unconsciousness' is the state of being physically passed out or asleep.

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