vigilant

[ vij-uh-luhnt ]
See synonyms for: vigilantvigilantly on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. keenly watchful to detect danger; wary: a vigilant sentry.

  2. ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful.

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Origin of vigilant

1
First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin vigilant- (stem of vigilāns ), present participle of vigilāre “to be watchful”; see vigil, -ant

synonym study For vigilant

2. See alert.

Other words for vigilant

Opposites for vigilant

Other words from vigilant

  • vig·i·lant·ly, adverb
  • vig·i·lant·ness, noun
  • hy·per·vig·i·lant, adjective
  • non·vig·i·lant, adjective
  • non·vig·i·lant·ly, adverb
  • non·vig·i·lant·ness, noun
  • pre·vig·i·lant, adjective
  • pre·vig·i·lant·ly, adverb
  • su·per·vig·i·lant, adjective
  • su·per·vig·i·lant·ly, adverb
  • un·vig·i·lant, adjective
  • un·vig·i·lant·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with vigilant

Words Nearby vigilant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use vigilant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vigilant

vigilant

/ (ˈvɪdʒɪlənt) /


adjective
  1. keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger, as while others are sleeping or unsuspicious

Origin of vigilant

1
C15: from Latin vigilāns keeping awake, from vigilāre to be watchful; see vigil

Derived forms of vigilant

  • vigilantly, adverb
  • vigilantness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012