vigilant

[vij-uh-luhnt]

adjective

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

ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful.

Origin of vigilant

1470–80; < Latin vigilant- (stem of vigilāns), present participle of vigilāre to be watchful. See vigil, -ant

Related formsvig·i·lant·ly, adverbvig·i·lant·ness, nounhy·per·vig·i·lant, adjectivehy·per·vig·i·lant·ly, adverbhy·per·vig·i·lant·ness, nounnon·vig·i·lant, adjectivenon·vig·i·lant·ly, adverbnon·vig·i·lant·ness, nounpre·vig·i·lant, adjectivepre·vig·i·lant·ly, adverbsu·per·vig·i·lant, adjectivesu·per·vig·i·lant·ly, adverbun·vig·i·lant, adjectiveun·vig·i·lant·ly, adverb

Can be confusedvigilant vigilante

Synonyms for vigilant

2. wide-awake, sleepless.

Synonym study

2. See alert.

Antonyms for vigilant

1. careless.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for hypervigilant

vigilant

adjective

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

Derived Formsvigilantly, adverbvigilantness, noun

Word Origin for vigilant

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

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

Word Origin and History for hypervigilant

vigilant

adj.

late 15c., from Latin vigilantia "wakefulness," from vigilia (see vigil). Related: Vigilantly.