Aware: meaning, definitions and examples

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aware

[ ษ™หˆwษ›ห ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

mental state

Having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

Synonyms

cognizant, conscious, mindful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aware

Use this word to indicate someone knows about something, often used in everyday situations.

  • I was not aware of the changes in the schedule.
  • They are aware of the new policies.
conscious

This word implies a deliberate or intentional awareness, often used when talking about personal responsibility or ethical considerations.

  • She is very conscious of her health.
  • We need to be conscious of our impact on the environment.
cognizant

This word is more formal and less common in everyday conversation. It's often used in professional or academic contexts.

  • He is cognizant of the challenges we face.
  • The company must be cognizant of environmental regulations.
mindful

Used to indicate a careful and thoughtful awareness, often with a focus on being considerate or aware of the present moment.

  • He is mindful of his tone when speaking to others.
  • Being mindful of your surroundings can improve your safety.

Examples of usage

  • I am aware of the risks involved.
  • She became aware of someone following her.
  • We need to be more aware of our surroundings.
Context #2 | Adjective

social situation

Informed or alert to a particular situation or development.

Synonyms

informed, knowledgeable, sensitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aware

Used to describe someone who has noticed or realized something, typically in a general or broad sense.

  • She wasn't aware of the meeting happening upstairs
informed

Describes a person who has been given detailed information or has acquired knowledge about a specific topic.

  • He is well-informed about the latest political developments
knowledgeable

Used for someone who possesses a deep and comprehensive understanding of a particular subject or area.

  • She is very knowledgeable about ancient history
sensitive

This word typically has a dual meaning: emotionally aware or easily affected by external factors. It can have a negative connotation when describing someone overly affected by criticism.

  • He is sensitive to environmental issues
  • / She is very sensitive about her performance

Examples of usage

  • He was aware of the consequences of his actions.
  • She was aware of the importance of the meeting.
  • They were aware of the potential dangers.
Context #3 | Adjective

feeling or emotion

Having knowledge or perception of a feeling or emotion.

Synonyms

attentive, perceptive, sensitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aware

Use 'aware' to indicate general consciousness or knowledge of something. It does not imply special skills or deep understanding.

  • She was aware of the noise outside.
  • He became aware that someone was watching him.
sensitive

Use 'sensitive' when referring to someone who is easily affected by external stimuli or emotions. It can have a neutral or negative connotation depending on the context.

  • He is very sensitive to criticism.
  • She has a sensitive nature and often picks up on the emotions of others.
perceptive

This term is used to describe someone who notices things quickly and understands situations well. It often indicates a high level of insight.

  • Her perceptive comments during the meeting impressed everyone.
  • He is very perceptive about people's feelings and can sense when someone is upset.
attentive

This word is best for situations where someone is paying close attention to something or someone, often implying care or consideration.

  • The teacher was very attentive to her students' needs.
  • He listened in an attentive manner to every detail of the story.

Examples of usage

  • She was aware of the sadness in his eyes.
  • He became aware of her disappointment.
  • They were aware of the tension in the room.

Translations

Translations of the word "aware" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น consciente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคœเคพเค—เคฐเฅ‚เค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช bewusst

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sadar

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัƒัะฒั–ะดะพะผะปะตะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›wiadomy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ„่ญ˜ใ—ใฆใ„ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท conscient

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ consciente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท farkฤฑnda

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์˜์‹ํ•˜๊ณ  ์žˆ๋Š”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฏุฑูƒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vฤ›domรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vedomรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ„่ฏ†ๅˆฐ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaveden

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ meรฐvitaรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐะฝะฐะปั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒชแƒœแƒแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸรผurlu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ consciente

Etymology

The word 'aware' originated from the Old English word 'gewรฆr', meaning wary or cautious. Over time, the meaning evolved to include having knowledge or perception. The modern usage of 'aware' dates back to the late 18th century, where it gained popularity in English literature and everyday language.

See also: awarely, awareness, unaware, unawarely, unawareness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,453, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.