Someone who is vigilant gives careful attention to a particular problem or situation and concentrates on noticing any danger or trouble that there might be.
He warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.
All but one of these letter bombs had been intercepted by vigilant post office staff.
Synonyms: watchful, alert, on the lookout, careful More Synonyms of vigilant
vigilanceuncountable noun
Democracy is fragile and will not survive without constant vigilance.
Synonyms: watchfulness, alertness, caution, observance More Synonyms of vigilant
vigilant in British English
(ˈvɪdʒɪlənt)
adjective
keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger, as while others are sleeping or unsuspicious
Derived forms
vigilantly (ˈvigilantly)
adverb
vigilantness (ˈvigilantness)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin vigilāns keeping awake, from vigilāre to be watchful; see vigil
vigilant in American English
(ˈvɪdʒələnt)
adjective
staying watchful and alert to danger or trouble
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈwatchful
Derived forms
vigilantly (ˈvigilantly)
adverb
Word origin
Fr < L vigilans, prp. of vigilare, to watch < vigil, awake: see vigil
Examples of 'vigilant' in a sentence
vigilant
With Pine and Stan vigilant in their role as spotters, only I was active tonight and was honour-bound to give it large.
James Birrell THE MANANA MAN (2002)
With a last glance backwards, he threaded his way through the trees, still ever vigilant for the appearance of any more guards.
MacNeill, Alastair THE DEVIL'S DOOR (2002)
His eyes constantly flickered around him, ever vigilant for any movement that might signal the appearance of the missing guard.
MacNeill, Alastair THE DEVIL'S DOOR (2002)
In other languages
vigilant
British English: vigilant ADJECTIVE
Someone who is vigilant gives careful attention to a particular problem or situation and concentrates on noticing any danger or trouble that there might be.
He warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.
American English: vigilant
Brazilian Portuguese: vigilante
Chinese: 警惕的
European Spanish: vigilante
French: vigilant
German: wachsam
Italian: vigilante
Japanese: 油断のない
Korean: 경계하고 있는
European Portuguese: vigilante
Latin American Spanish: vigilante
Chinese translation of 'vigilant'
vigilant
(ˈvɪdʒɪlənt)
adj
警惕的 (jǐngtì de)
(adjective)
Definition
on the watch for trouble or danger
Police warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.
Synonyms
watchful
Children swam at the pool, under the watchful eye of the lifeguards.
alert
He had been spotted by an alert neighbour.
on the lookout
careful
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
cautious
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
attentive
I wish you would be more attentive to detail.
circumspect
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
wide awake
You need to stay alert and wide awake to avoid accidents as you drive.
on the alert
on your toes
wakeful
on your guard
on the watch
on the qui vive
Argus-eyed
keeping your eyes peeled or skinned (informal)
Opposites
slack
,
careless
,
lax
,
negligent
,
neglectful
,
inattentive
,
remiss
Seemindful
Synonyms of 'vigilant'
vigilant
Explore 'vigilant' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cautious
Definition
showing or having caution
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
Synonyms
careful,
guarded,
alert,
wary,
discreet,
tentative,
prudent,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
circumspect,
cagey (informal),
on your toes,
chary,
belt-and-braces,
keeping a weather eye on,
heedful
in the sense of circumspect
Definition
cautious and careful not to take risks
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
Synonyms
cautious,
politic,
guarded,
careful,
wary,
discriminating,
discreet,
sage,
prudent,
canny,
attentive,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
observant,
sagacious (formal),
heedful
in the sense of wakeful
Definition
alert
Synonyms
watchful,
alive,
alert,
wary,
attentive,
vigilant,
on the lookout,
observant,
on guard,
on the alert,
on the qui vive,
heedful,
unsleeping
in the sense of wide awake
You need to stay alert and wide awake to avoid accidents as you drive.