cognizant
Americanadjective
-
having cognizance; aware (usually followed byof ).
He was cognizant of the difficulty.
-
having legal cognizance or jurisdiction.
adjective
Usage
What does cognizant mean? To be cognizant of something is to be aware of it or have knowledge of it. Such awareness can be called cognizance. Cognizant is almost always followed by the word of and the thing that the person is cognizant of, as in He was cognizant of the report at the time. It’s often used in the phrase cognizant of the fact, as in I’m cognizant of the fact that you dislike me, but we still need to work together to get this done. Cognizant is typically used in a formal way. The adjective aware means much the same thing but is used more broadly. Example: At what point did you become cognizant of the fact that you were not receiving everything that you were promised?
Synonym Usage
See conscious.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cognizant
First recorded in 1810–20; cogniz(ance) + -ant
Explanation
If you are cognizant of what's going on at the table behind you in the lunchroom, that means you know they're plotting to throw peas at your head. If you are cognizant of something, you are aware of or informed about it. This 19th century adjective derives from Latin cognōscere, "to learn." For the English adjective and noun, an older pronunciation with a silent g was in use in legal contexts up until the early 20th century. In law, these terms refer to jurisdiction, or the right of a court to hear a case.
Vocabulary lists containing cognizant
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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In the Know: Cogn, Conn
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Grade 9, List 4
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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.
“We are totally cognizant there are periods of time when bonds did not provide the same ballast, but over time, they do.”
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
So I think they were cognizant of what was going on in the real world and exercising the independence that life tenure gives them.
From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026
Many were cognizant of both the benefits and drawbacks of regular food delivery.
From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026
In the last two weeks, the coaching staff has worked to shift the team’s mentality to be cognizant of the rest and recovery needed heading into the postseason without letting up during meets.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026
Yet Groves was fully cognizant of Lawrence’s crucial role in the program.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
