Conscious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
conscious
[หkษnสษs ]
Definitions
awareness
Aware of and responding to one's surroundings; awake.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| conscious |
Used when someone is fully alert, not asleep or in a coma. It can also mean being aware of certain facts or feelings.
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| aware |
Indicates having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
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| awake |
Refers simply to not being asleep. Can be used in both literal and figurative sense.
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| sensible |
Typically refers to someone who makes decisions based on logic and reason. It often implies practicality and good judgment.
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Examples of usage
- I was conscious of a faint smell of burning.
- She had been conscious of the boy's presence from the first.
intentional
Done by someone intentionally or mindfully.
Synonyms
deliberate, intentional, on purpose.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| conscious |
Refers to someone being aware of and able to think and notice things. Used when someone is aware, awake, or considering something carefully.
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| intentional |
Refers to something done on purpose, with a clear aim or goal in mind. Often used when discussing actions with a specific intent.
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| deliberate |
Implies something done with careful thought or intention. Often used to describe actions that are done slowly and with purpose.
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| on purpose |
Informal way to say that something was done intentionally. Typically used in everyday conversation.
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Examples of usage
- A conscious effort to walk quietly.
- She made a conscious decision to change her career.
psychology
The state of being aware of and able to think about what is happening.
Synonyms
awareness, cognition, perception.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| conscious |
Used when referring to the state of being aware of and able to think about one's surroundings, wakefulness, and the ability to respond to stimuli.
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| awareness |
Used in situations involving knowledge, understanding, or realization of the existence of something. Often used in contexts such as social issues, personal growth, or mindfulness.
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| perception |
Used to describe the way someone interprets or understands something, often influenced by their experiences or beliefs. Can also refer to sensory experiences.
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| cognition |
Used in scientific, psychological, or educational contexts to describe mental processes like thinking, remembering, learning, and understanding.
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Examples of usage
- She was slowly regaining consciousness after the accident.
- He lost consciousness for a few minutes.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Consciousness is often divided into states, like waking, dreaming, and altered statesโeach affecting how we perceive the world.
- The study of consciousness encompasses debates on whether humans are conscious of their thoughts or if many decisions are made subconsciously.
- The concept of dualism by philosopher Renรฉ Descartes suggests that consciousness is separate from the body, raising questions about the mind-body relationship.
Philosophy
- Philosophers like John Locke argued that consciousness shapes personal identity, meaning you're the same person only if you share consistent memories.
- In existential philosophy, consciousness is linked to freedom and responsibility, stressing that being aware means we must make choices.
- The idea of the 'bicameral mind', proposed by Julian Jaynes, suggests early humans may not have been conscious as we understand it today, relying instead on auditory hallucinations.
Pop Culture
- In movies like 'Inception', consciousness is explored in layers, showing how complex and multifaceted our awareness can be.
- The term 'collective consciousness' has influenced many social movements, emphasizing shared beliefs and attitudes in society.
- Music and literature often tackle themes of consciousness, exploring existential questions, like life and purpose, resonating with audiences.
Science
- Neuroscientific studies often utilize technology to map brain activity, aiming to identify which brain regions correlate with conscious awareness.
- Experiments on animals and humans suggest that different levels of consciousness can exist, like in sleep, anesthesia, or coma.
- Quantum consciousness theories propose that consciousness arises from quantum processes in the brain, a field still under exploration.
Origin of 'conscious'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'conscius', meaning 'aware' or 'knowing'.
- It originally combined 'con-' (together) with 'scire' (to know), implying shared knowledge or awareness.
- In the late Middle Ages, it began to describe a state of self-awareness, particularly related to thought and feelings.
The word 'conscious' comes from the Latin word 'conscius', which means 'knowing, aware'. It has been used in English since the 17th century. The concept of consciousness has been a topic of philosophical and scientific debate for centuries, exploring the nature of awareness, perception, and self. In psychology, consciousness is studied as the state of being aware of and able to think about what is happening. It plays a crucial role in human experience and behavior.
See also: conscientious, conscientiousness.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #2,976, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.
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