adjective
-
having knowledge; cognizant
aware of his error
-
informed of current developments
politically aware
Related Words
See conscious.
Other Word Forms
- awareness noun
- hyperaware adjective
- self-aware adjective
- well-aware adjective
Etymology
Origin of aware
First recorded before 1100; Middle English, variant of iwar, Old English gewær “watchful” (cognate with Old High German, Old Saxon giwar, German gewahr ), equivalent to ge- y- + wær ware 2
Explanation
To be aware means to know about. If you're aware of a sled zooming towards you, move! And if you’re aware that the other kids wish they had sleds, share yours. That’s being socially aware. Well done. Aware is a close relative of beware, "look out for." Julius Caesar is famously warned to "beware the ides of March." Too bad he's not aware of why. Beware and aware share the root ware, from an Old English word meaning "careful." Be aware of your purse at all times, and beware of the snatch-and-grab thief.
Vocabulary lists containing aware
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 11-20
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Novel Study: American Born Chinese, Pages 85–233
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Words to Know and Academic Words, Unit 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
When I saw “English” in 2024 at the Old Globe in San Diego, I was acutely aware of what the playwright was not addressing.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026
In the email, Healthdaq said it became aware of unauthorised access to certain data held within its platform on 30 March.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
Part of that shift in thinking is due to technology’s omnipresence in our lives; it makes us more aware of the state of our health minute-by-minute.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
All of the trusts said they were aware of a "potential" cyber incident affecting a third-party Health and Social Care supplier and have advised staff to be "extra vigilant".
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
She sat beside him on the couch, a fact Max was aware of only because he felt the couch cushion dip down.
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
