awareness
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of awareness
Explanation
Awareness is the state of knowing something, such as the awareness that the sun comes up every morning. The adjective aware gets turned into a noun when the suffix -ness is added, so awareness is the state of being aware, or having knowledge of something. Its roots are Germanic, and come from the Old English wær meaning "wary, cautious." Awareness can be something you notice, want to tell others about, or already know. You could "raise awareness" of a cause, like fighting breast cancer. Yet, your awareness of the baby sleeping next door might prevent you from having band practice in the garage. Smart move.
Vocabulary lists containing awareness
Legend
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Schooled
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Local demand prompted him to write an article about the “ear elevation technique” to increase awareness of the procedure outside of Asia.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
Charles founded the nonprofit in 2013 in honor of her late aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and provide automated external defibrillators to schools and recreation centers that need them.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
He said many patients had never heard of penile cancer and that even with prostate cancer - where there is more awareness - men shy away from getting help due to embarrassment.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
Months before his death, he led hundreds of people on a walk from Old Trafford to Rochdale's ground to raise awareness of cancer treatments.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
It’s been this inevitable thing that I’ve lived with forever, this awareness that I would die long before Abby and my parents.
From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
