What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
oblivious
Example
She was so absorbed in her book that she was oblivious to the noise around her. [oblivious: adjective]
Example
He was oblivious to the fact that he had hurt her feelings. [oblivious: adjective]
unaware
Example
I was unaware of the new policy until my boss told me. [unaware: adjective]
Example
She was unaware that the meeting had been rescheduled. [unaware: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unaware is more commonly used than oblivious in everyday language. Unaware is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while oblivious is less common and has a stronger negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between oblivious and unaware?
Unaware is more formal than oblivious. While unaware can be used in both formal and informal contexts, oblivious is typically associated with a more informal tone.
