# unconscious

/ˌənˈkɑnʃəs/ (US) · /ʌnkˈɒnʃəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unconscious
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. not awake

adjective · CEFR B2

not awake or aware of what is happening, usually because of an injury or illness.

For teachers: lacking sensory awareness and responsiveness to the environment, typically resulting from physical trauma, anesthesia, or illness.

- The boxer was knocked unconscious for several minutes after the heavy blow.
- Paramedics found the driver unconscious at the wheel, though his vital signs remained stable despite the severity of the impact.

### 2. without realizing

adjective · CEFR B2

done or felt without you realizing it or thinking about it.

For teachers: occurring without the agent's deliberate intention or conscious awareness.

- She had an unconscious habit of tapping her pen when she was nervous.
- The artist's work often reveals unconscious biases that reflect the social environment of her upbringing rather than her stated beliefs.

### 4. the hidden mind

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the part of your mind that contains feelings and thoughts you are not aware of.

For teachers: the part of the psyche that is not available to introspection but influences behavior and emotions.

- He believed that dreams were a way to understand the unconscious.
- Freudian theory suggests that many of our daily anxieties are rooted in the unconscious, shaped by early childhood experiences we no longer remember.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

## Examples

- The dream revealed a fear hidden in his unconscious.
- Psychologists believe that many of our daily habits are driven by the unconscious rather than by logical choices.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.