Word
unconsciousness
Phoneticsun·con·scious·ness, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌənˈkɑnʃəsnɪs/
UK/ʌnkˈɒnʃəsnəs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a state where you are not awake and do not know what is happening around you. This usually happens because of an injury, an illness, or a medical drug.
n. a state of being unaware and unresponsive to external stimuli, typically resulting from physical trauma, illness, or anaesthesia. Often contrasted with sleep, as the subject cannot be easily roused.
Examples
“The boxer fell into unconsciousness after the final blow.”
“Paramedics monitored the patient's breathing closely as he drifted in and out of unconsciousness following the accident.”
“The prolonged period of unconsciousness raised concerns among the neurological team regarding potential long-term cognitive impairment or structural brain damage.”
Examples
simple
“The boxer fell into unconsciousness after the final blow.”
contextual
“Paramedics monitored the patient's breathing closely as he drifted in and out of unconsciousness following the accident.”
complex
“The prolonged period of unconsciousness raised concerns among the neurological team regarding potential long-term cognitive impairment or structural brain damage.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unconsciousness” in context.
Verb
01. feign unconsciousness
“The soldier decided to feign unconsciousness to avoid further questioning.”
verb + noun
02. induce unconsciousness
“The anesthesiologist administered the gas to induce unconsciousness.”
verb + noun
03. unconsciousness ensues
“If the oxygen supply is cut off, unconsciousness ensues almost immediately.”
noun + verb
Adjective
04. prolonged unconsciousness
“The patient suffered from prolonged unconsciousness following the head injury.”
adj + noun
05. sudden unconsciousness
“The main symptom of the condition is a period of sudden unconsciousness.”
adj + noun
06. total unconsciousness
“The drug induces a state of total unconsciousness within seconds.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. lapse into unconsciousness
“The victim began to lapse into unconsciousness before the paramedics arrived.”
verb + prep + noun
08. period of unconsciousness
“She experienced a brief period of unconsciousness after the fall.”
noun + prep + noun
09. state of unconsciousness
“He remained in a deep state of unconsciousness for several hours.”
noun + prep + noun
10. drift in and out of unconsciousness
“The survivor was drifting in and out of unconsciousness while waiting for rescue.”
11. recover from unconsciousness
“It took several minutes for the athlete to recover from unconsciousness.”
12. sink into a deep unconsciousness
“After the impact, he quickly sank into a deep unconsciousness.”
Usage
Often follows the verbs 'drift into', 'lapse into', or 'lose'.
Etymology
First recorded in the mid-18th century, the term is a compound formed from the adjective unconscious and the suffix -ness, or alternatively by the addition of the prefix un- to the noun consciousness. The construction follows standard Germanic morphological patterns for the creation of abstract nouns denoting a state or quality.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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