stream of consciousness — a literary technique that presents a character's continuous flow of thoughts and feelings without logical structure
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a literary technique that presents a character's continuous flow of thoughts and feelings without logical structure
Pronunciation (IPA): /striːm ʌv ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
Example Sentences
- My diary became a stream of consciousness when I was too tired to organize my thoughts properly.
- Virginia Woolf mastered the stream of consciousness technique in her novels.
- His presentation turned into a stream of consciousness rambling about everything except the main topic.
stream of consciousness
NOUN//striːm ʌv ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs//
a literary technique that presents a character's continuous flow of thoughts and feelings without logical structure

A stream of consciousness character's inner thoughts swirl outward in colorful chaos

The stream of consciousness flows freely with memories and emotions, a river of thoughts that dreams without reason or measure
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The term combines 'stream' (from Old English 'strēam', meaning a continuous flow of water) and 'consciousness' (from Latin 'conscientia', meaning awareness or knowledge). The phrase was popularized in early 20th-century psychology and literary criticism to describe the uninterrupted flow of thoughts.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My diary became a stream of consciousness when I was too tired to organize my thoughts properly.”
“Virginia Woolf mastered the stream of consciousness technique in her novels.”
“His presentation turned into a stream of consciousness rambling about everything except the main topic.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.