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Consciousness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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consciousness

[หˆkษ’nสƒษ™snษ™s ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

state of being aware

Consciousness is the state of being aware of and able to think about one's surroundings and existence.

Synonyms

alertness, awareness, cognizance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
consciousness

Used to talk about the state of being awake and aware of oneโ€™s surroundings. It's often used in medical, philosophical, or psychological contexts, sometimes referring to the mind itself.

  • He regained consciousness after fainting.
  • Philosophers debate the nature of consciousness.
awareness

Implies a general knowledge or understanding of a situation, condition, or fact. It's broad and can be used in many contexts from social issues to personal feelings.

  • She has a strong awareness of environmental issues.
  • Raising awareness about mental health is important.
alertness

Refers to the state of being ready to respond quickly and effectively to a situation. It often implies vigilance and quick thinking.

  • Driver alertness is crucial for road safety.
  • The fire drill is a test of our alertness.
cognizance

Usually a formal term meaning awareness or knowledge of something. It's less commonly used in everyday speech and often appears in legal, philosophical, or academic contexts.

  • The court took cognizance of the new evidence.
  • He had no cognizance of the events taking place.

Examples of usage

  • I regained consciousness after fainting.
  • She has a deep understanding of human consciousness.
  • The study of consciousness is a complex and fascinating field.
Context #2 | Noun

the quality or state of being aware

Consciousness also refers to the quality or state of being aware of an external object or something within oneself.

Synonyms

awareness, perception, realization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
consciousness

Used in contexts related to the state of being awake and aware of one's own surroundings, existence, thoughts, and environment. It is often associated with psychological and medical discussions.

  • After the accident, he slowly regained consciousness.
  • The study aims to explore the nature of human consciousness.
awareness

Refers to the knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. It is often used in situations where someone is informed about something or recognizes a particular issue.

  • Public awareness about the effects of climate change is growing.
  • She had a sudden awareness of being watched.
perception

Used when talking about the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. It can also refer to the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

  • His perception of the event was very different from mine.
  • The test focuses on the perception of colors.
realization

Refers to the moment or process of understanding something clearly and distinctly, often suddenly. It typically implies the coming to an aware state or understanding of an important fact or truth.

  • She came to the sudden realization that she had left her keys at home.
  • The realization of how much he cared dawned on him slowly.

Examples of usage

  • The consciousness of the environmental impact of our actions is growing.
  • Meditation can help expand your consciousness.
  • His consciousness of his own mortality influenced his decisions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'consciousness'

The word 'consciousness' originates from the Latin word 'conscientia', meaning 'knowledge'. It has been a topic of philosophical, psychological, and scientific inquiry for centuries. From debates about the nature of consciousness to studies on altered states of consciousness, this term has a rich history in human thought and understanding.

See also: conscientiously, consciously, subconscious, subconsciously, unconscious, unconsciously, unconsciousness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,490, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.