Adv. In a manner showing lack of awareness of, or concern for, what is happening around one; in a forgetful or unaware way. It implies a state of being unconscious or heedless of the surrounding environment, often due to preoccupation, distraction, or a lack of attention to detail. This can lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, or even unintentional offense. It paints a picture of someone absorbed in their own thoughts or activities to the exclusion of external stimuli.
Obliviously meaning with examples
- Lost in the music from her headphones, Sarah walked obliviously through the crowded marketplace, bumping into shoppers and nearly spilling a vendor's wares. She only realized her faux pas when a sharp voice called out, and she fumbled for her apologies, unaware of the minor chaos she had caused in her musical trance. Her total ignorance of the immediate environment showed her to be truly oblivious.
- He drove obliviously, lost in a conversation with his passenger, and nearly missed the turnoff for his exit. Only a screech of tires, a near collision, and a honking horn yanked him back to the present. The near miss served as a stark reminder of the dangers of inattention; he had been completely oblivious to the traffic around him, narrowly avoiding disaster and potentially ending up dead.
- During the crucial presentation, the intern played obliviously with a pen and paper, scribbling doodles. The senior partners observing could see her lack of presence and care, leaving the audience and presentation to the side lines, displaying a severe lack of understanding of the significance of the meeting. Her inattention was obvious, and she was deemed oblivious of the importance.
- The child, engrossed in a game, ran obliviously into the street after a bouncing ball. Luckily, the driver stopped in time, but the close call highlighted the potential dangers. This incident showed an absolute unawareness of potential traffic and the impact of his actions, demonstrating to everyone his oblivion and naivete to the world's issues and events.
- She spent hours cleaning the house, obliviously ignoring her phone, her family trying to reach her from her car that had broken down on the side of the freeway. The silence created a space between the outside and herself, completely out of reach from everyone else. Her dedication was admirable, but the complete detachment left her alone in the end.