noun

cognizance

KOG-nih-zuhns

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Cognizance (noun) means Knowledge or awareness of something, especially official or conscious awareness of it. Example: “The complaint never came to the cognizance of senior management.”

noun

Knowledge or awareness of something, especially official or conscious awareness of it.

"The complaint never came to the cognizance of senior management."

"He took cognizance of her objection and adjusted the schedule."

law The authority of a court to hear and decide a particular case; the range of matters a court may deal with.

"Fraud of this scale falls within the cognizance of the federal courts."

heraldry An emblem or badge worn to show which lord or household a person belongs to.

"Each retainer wore the earl's cognizance on his sleeve."

How to use cognizance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishKnowing about something in an official way.

When to use it

Formal. Outside of law, it appears mostly in the fixed phrase 'take cognizance of'.

Memory tip

In everyday writing, 'notice' or 'awareness' will almost always read better than 'cognizance'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

cognisant → recognition → cognition → conusance

Common pairings

take cognizance of come to the cognizance of within the cognizance of the court judicial cognizance

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The complaint never came to the _____ of senior management.

Etymology

From Old French conoissance 'knowledge, acquaintance', from conoistre, which comes from Latin cognoscere 'to get to know'. English later restored the g in spelling to reflect the Latin root.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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awareness knowledge notice perception recognition jurisdiction competence purview badge device emblem crest

Antonyms

ignorance unawareness incognizance

Related words

power top attention technology knowledge computer ability notice

Rhymes for cognizance

lance dance Nance seance chance nuance trance stance glance balance advance finance

See all rhymes for cognizance →

Frequently asked questions

What does 'take cognizance of' mean?

It means to formally notice something and treat it as relevant, rather than merely knowing about it. A court that takes cognizance of a case accepts it for consideration, and an official who takes cognizance of a complaint puts it on the record.

What is the difference between cognizance and cognisant?

Cognizance is the noun and cognisant is the adjective describing the person. You have cognizance of a fact, and that makes you cognisant of it.

Is it cognizance or cognisance?

Both are correct. Cognizance with a z is standard in American English and is also the dominant legal spelling in Britain; cognisance is an accepted British variant.

What is the meaning of cognizance?

"cognizance" (noun) means knowledge or awareness of something, especially official or conscious awareness of it.

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