What does unconscious mean?
“Unconscious” most often describes a person who is not aware of something: an injured athlete may be unconscious, while a driver may be unconscious of a hazard. It also describes behavior, motives, and mental processes that occur without deliberate awareness, as in “unconscious bias” or “the unconscious mind.” As a noun, “the unconscious” names the mental realm outside conscious awareness, a concept especially associated with psychoanalysis, though the term is now common in psychology and everyday discussion of habits, memory, and motivation. The word can imply not merely a temporary lack of attention but a deeper absence of awareness, so its tone ranges from neutral and clinical to suggestive of hidden causes. “Unconsciously” and “unconsciousness” are common related forms. Understanding the word helps distinguish conscious intention from motives or reactions that operate beneath awareness, a distinction central to discussions of behavior and cognition.
Not awake, conscious, or aware; also, of behavior, motives, or processes, occurring without conscious awareness or deliberate intention.
"The advertisement appealed to consumers' unconscious preferences."
The adjective may describe a temporary physiological state or a deeper lack of awareness of one's actions, motives, or surroundings.
The part or realm of the mind consisting of processes and impulses that are not directly subject to conscious awareness.
"Freud argued that the unconscious strongly influences human behavior."
Usually used as “the unconscious”; in general psychology it may refer broadly to mental activity outside immediate awareness, while in psychoanalysis it has a more specific theoretical meaning.
Rare; the noun is normally used in the singular, particularly in the fixed expression “the unconscious.”
"The study compares the unconsciouses of several patients."
Freud made “the unconscious” famous, but the phrase was already being used to describe mental activity that happens without awareness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unconscious come from?
The English word dates from the early 17th century and was formed from the prefix un- meaning “not” and conscious meaning “aware.” Conscious ultimately comes from Latin conscientia, “knowledge” or “awareness,” derived from conscire, “to be aware,” which itself contains the root scire, “to know.” The word initially meant “not aware,” but it was later applied to mental processes outside awareness, eventually becoming central to psychological and psychoanalytic terminology.
Related word forms
How unconscious is actually used
The adjective is neutral in medical and psychological contexts but can humorously imply a conspicuous lack of awareness in informal use. As a noun, it normally appears with the definite article and may denote either a general mental realm or a psychoanalytic concept.
Easily confused with unconscious
Conscious means awake, aware, and capable of deliberate awareness, whereas unconscious means lacking awareness or operating outside it.
The unconscious includes mental processes outside conscious awareness, while the subconscious more specifically suggests mental material that is not currently conscious but can be brought into awareness.