aware
adjective
UK/əˈweə/US/əˈwer/
having knowledge or understanding of a situation or fact
Example Sentences
He seemed very aware of his surroundings despite being engrossed in his book.
She’s aware that her choices have consequences for those around her.
Companies need to be aware of market trends to stay competitive.
I’m fully aware of the difficulties you might encounter on this journey.
Everyone should be aware of the basic safety measures in an emergency.
Being aware of your own limitations can help you seek the right support and make realistic plans to improve your skills in a constructive manner.
Parents must remain aware of changes in their children’s behavior, as these can signal emotional distress or other underlying issues requiring professional attention.
After several reminders, he finally became aware of the looming deadline and started working on the project in earnest.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Being cognizant of or informed about something, able to perceive and recognize its presence or significance.“Aware” is typically an adjective that describes a state of having knowledge or perception of a situation, object, or fact. If you say, “I’m aware of the deadlines,” you’re indicating that you know they exist and keep them in mind. People often become aware of details through observation, experience, or being told—like becoming aware of a policy change or noticing subtle shifts in someone’s behavior. At times, awareness is active and deliberate, as when you pay close attention to your surroundings; in other scenarios, it’s more passive, simply signifying you have the information at hand. Developing awareness can also be a goal—for example, programs designed to increase social or environmental awareness so people are mindful of important issues or hazards.
Alternatives
Synonyms depend on context. “Conscious,” “mindful,” or “alert” imply active attention, while “informed” points to having knowledge. “Attuned” or “sensitive” can highlight an awareness that’s finely tuned to nuances. Each underscores that someone isn’t ignorant of a matter; instead, they’re keyed in to relevant facts or stimuli. Still, “aware” is the most direct term for possessing knowledge or recognition.
Writing
When using “aware” in formal or academic writing, specify what someone is aware of and how that awareness affects behavior or decision-making. For example, “Employees should be aware of safety protocols before operating machinery.” If discussing social or policy contexts, you might write, “Raising public awareness is crucial to implementing effective health interventions.” Provide any data or examples demonstrating why such awareness matters—like improved compliance, reduced errors, or better community engagement. If you’re analyzing a character in literature, clarifying that they’re (un)aware of certain details can highlight dramatic irony or motivate plot developments.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “aware” comes up when clarifying knowledge or attention—like, “Are you aware that the store’s closed today?” or “I wasn’t aware you needed help.” People might remark, “He’s really self-aware,” praising someone’s understanding of their own thoughts and emotions. You could also say, “Stay aware of traffic patterns,” urging caution and focus on the road. Sometimes, friends use it more humorously—“Be aware: I might eat all the cookies if they’re left out!”—though still emphasizing a heads-up or notice. Overall, it communicates how tuned in someone is to the facts or environment around them.
Etymology
“Aware” descends from Old English “gewær,” originally meaning “wary” or “watchful,” akin to being guarded or cautious. Over centuries, the prefix “ge-” faded, leaving “wær,” which evolved into Middle English “awar” and then modern “aware.” The core notion remained consistent: awareness denotes vigilance, readiness, or knowledge about what’s happening around you—an attention to potential dangers, opportunities, or details. Today’s usage broadens this to knowledge or understanding in general, but it still carries a legacy of alertness and informed perception.