- Having knowledge or cognizance: aware of the difference between the two versions; became aware of faint sound.
- Archaic. Vigilant; watchful.
[Middle English, variant of iwar, from Old English gewær.]
awareness a·ware'ness n.SYNONYMS aware, cognizant, conscious, sensible, awake, alert, watchful, vigilant. These adjectives mean mindful or heedful: Aware implies knowledge gained through one's own perceptions or by means of information: Are you aware of your opponent's hostility? I am aware that the legislation passed. Cognizant is a formal equivalent of aware: “Our research indicates that the nation's youth are cognizant of the law” (Jerry D. Jennings). Conscious emphasizes the recognition of something sensed or felt: “an importance . . . of which even Americans are barely conscious” (William Stanley Jevons). Sensible implies knowledge gained through intuition or intellectual perception: “I am sensible that the mention of such a circumstance may appear trifling” (Henry Hallam). To be awake is to have full consciousness of something: “as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as Elizabeth herself” (Jane Austen). Alert stresses quickness to recognize and respond: I remained alert to career opportunities. Watchful and vigilant imply looking out for what is dangerous or potentially so: The watchful parents protected their toddler. The ranger kept a vigilant eye out for forest fires.
