Unconsciousness: meaning, definitions and examples

A state in which a person is not awake and is unaware of their surroundings, typically after a sudden event such as an accident or injury.

• The patient remained in a state of unconsciousness for several hours after the car crash.
• Fainting can cause temporary unconsciousness.

A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened, usually due to severe illness or trauma. It often requires medical intervention.

• The car accident left him in a coma for six months.
• Doctors are monitoring the patient who has been in a coma since the surgery.

A lack of physical sensation or the inability to feel pain and other stimuli, often used in a medical or technical sense.

• The patient's insensibility to pain can be a symptom of nerve damage.
• Due to extreme cold, the mountaineer began to experience a dangerous insensibility in his fingers and toes.

A state of near-unconsciousness or reduced awareness, where a person is slow to respond and appears dazed or confused. This can occur due to various reasons, like alcohol, drugs, or concussion.

• After the accident, she was in a stupor and could barely speak.
• The medication left him in a stupor, barely responsive to questions.

Referring to a state where a person is not awake or aware of their surroundings, usually due to injury, illness, or sleep.

• She fell into unconsciousness after the accident.
• The doctor monitored the patient's level of unconsciousness.

Describing mental processes that happen without conscious awareness, influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• His subconscious fears influenced his decision.
• The dream revealed her subconscious thoughts.

Describing a lack of knowledge or awareness about something, often leading to unintended consequences.

• His unawareness of the rules got him into trouble.
• She acted out of unawareness of the true situation.

Referring to stimuli that are below the level of conscious awareness but can still influence thoughts and behavior.

• The advertisement used subliminal messages to attract customers.
• There are claims that subliminal signals can affect our choices.