English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj Uncommon

vigilant

VIHD-zhih-luhnt

Vigilant (adj) means Watchful and alert, especially for danger, trouble, or wrongdoing. Example: “Stay vigilant when walking alone at night.”

adj
1
Watchful and alert, especially for danger, trouble, or wrongdoing.
"Stay vigilant when walking alone at night."
"The lifeguards remained vigilant throughout the busy afternoon."

How to use vigilant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOn guard and paying close attention, ready to react if something goes wrong.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
remain vigilant stay vigilant vigilant about

Word forms

more vigilant comparative, most vigilant superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “vigilant” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Stay _____ when walking alone at night.

Etymology

From Latin vigilans ("staying awake"), the present participle of vigilare, from vigil ("awake").

Origin: Latin

heedful hip on guard on the lookout on the watch on watch wakeful woke

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for vigilant

See all rhymes for vigilant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vigilant” mean?

The word “vigilant” means watchful and alert, especially for danger, trouble, or wrongdoing. In plain terms, on guard and paying close attention, ready to react if something goes wrong.

How do you pronounce “vigilant”?

“Vigilant” is pronounced VIHD-zhih-luhnt (/ˈvɪd͡ʒɪlənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “vigilant” in a sentence?

Here is “vigilant” used in a sentence: “Stay vigilant when walking alone at night.”

What is another word for “vigilant”?

Words with a similar meaning to “vigilant” include heedful, hip, on guard, on the lookout, on the watch and on watch.

What is the opposite of “vigilant”?

The opposite of “vigilant” — its antonyms — are complacent, heedless, oblivious, unalert and unaware.

What part of speech is “vigilant”?

“Vigilant” is an adjective.

Where does the word “vigilant” come from?

The word “vigilant” comes from Latin. From Latin vigilans ("staying awake"), the present participle of vigilare, from vigil ("awake").

Is “vigilant” a common word?

“Vigilant” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial