adjective
-
having knowledge; cognizant
aware of his error
-
informed of current developments
politically aware
Synonym Usage
See conscious.
Other Word Forms
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
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Novel Study: American Born Chinese, Pages 85–233
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Chapter 32: New Challenges
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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.
The union has accused De Beers management of attempting to portray the mine closure “as a sudden and unavoidable crisis,” when it has been aware for some time of the challenges facing the industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
“Once we were made aware that these individuals were unable to donate, their contributions were refunded. We take these matters seriously and expect others to do the same.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
"The victim has no links that we are aware of to organised crime, however he has associated with people that reside at this address," Det Supt Simon Glasser said on Wednesday.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
“Prospective buyers are already aware that we are in a rising rate environment, so these numbers should not come as a shock,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026
I started to slide my fingers under my leg to stifle the need to tap—but then just let the tapping happen, as Dr. Cain is well aware of it.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
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.
