consciousness
KON-shuhs-nuhs
Consciousness (noun) means the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts. Example: “The patient slowly regained consciousness and asked where she was.”
noun
1
The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts.
"The patient slowly regained consciousness and asked where she was."
"Philosophers have argued for centuries about how consciousness arises in the brain."
"He briefly lost consciousness after hitting his head."
2
Awareness of or shared concern about a particular issue.
"The campaign aims to raise consciousness about the dangers of litter in rivers."
"There is growing consciousness among shoppers about where their food comes from."
"Public consciousness about climate change has grown over the past decade."
How to use consciousness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe state of being aware — either awake versus unconscious, or aware of an issue.
Common pairings
lose consciousness
raise consciousness
stream of consciousness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like consciousness.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- consciousnesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The patient slowly regained _____ and asked where she was.
Etymology
From "conscious" + the noun-forming suffix "-ness."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for consciousness
See all rhymes for consciousness →Frequently asked questions
What does “consciousness” mean?
The word “consciousness” means the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts. In plain terms, the state of being aware — either awake versus unconscious, or aware of an issue.
How do you pronounce “consciousness”?
“Consciousness” is pronounced KON-shuhs-nuhs (/ˈkɑnʃəsnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “consciousness” in a sentence?
Here is “consciousness” used in a sentence: “He briefly lost consciousness after hitting his head.”
What is another word for “consciousness”?
Words with a similar meaning to “consciousness” include awareness and witfulness.
What is the opposite of “consciousness”?
The opposite of “consciousness” — its antonyms — is unconsciousness.
What part of speech is “consciousness”?
“Consciousness” is a noun.
Is “consciousness” a common word?
“Consciousness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “consciousness” have?
“Consciousness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts.
What is the difference between "consciousness" and "conscience"?
"Consciousness" refers to the state of being awake and aware of your surroundings and thoughts, while "conscience" is your inner sense of right and wrong that guides moral behavior. Although the two words look similar, they are not interchangeable: you can lose consciousness by fainting, but you cannot lose your conscience in the same way.
What is the difference between "consciousness" and "awareness"?
"Awareness" simply means noticing or knowing that something exists, while "consciousness" describes the broader state of being awake and mentally alert to your surroundings and your own thoughts. Consciousness includes awareness, but it also covers the full experience of being a thinking, perceiving being.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include consciousness:
