vigilant

[vij-uh-luh nt] /ˈvɪdʒ ə lənt/

adjective

keenly watchful to detect danger; wary:

a vigilant sentry.

ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful.

Origin

1470-80; < Latin vigilant- (stem of vigilāns), present participle of vigilāre to be watchful. See vigil, -ant

Related forms

vigilantly, adverb

vigilantness, noun

hypervigilant, adjective

hypervigilantly, adverb

hypervigilantness, noun

nonvigilant, adjective

nonvigilantly, adverb

nonvigilantness, noun

previgilant, adjective

previgilantly, adverb

supervigilant, adjective

supervigilantly, adverb

unvigilant, adjective

unvigilantly, adverb

Can be confused

vigilant, vigilante.

Synonyms

2. wide-awake, sleepless. See alert.

Antonyms

1. careless.

Examples from the web for vigilant

Those charged with protecting those ecosystems have to be that much more vigilant.
The best thing you can do is to be vigilant and to keep pressure on the government to uphold rigorous security standards.
We need to be more vigilant concerning about our environment, let keep it clean and let reduce our emission.
The citizens of this country should be vigilant in watching what is legislated and what is taught in their own area.
He is energetic and thoughtful in his research and vigilant against what should be called cable-channel alarmism.
Perhaps the students were not as vigilant as possible in terms of choosing which school to attend.
People behind the protection wall tend to be less vigilant or reduce private mitigation measures.
But these are not the only points to which you look for vigilant watchfulness.
Many signs seem to have emerged, and if we're not vigilant, the economic situation will be difficult to rein in.
It has to be vigilant against malicious rumors and outside interference.

British Dictionary definitions for vigilant

/ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/

adjective

keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger, as while others are sleeping or unsuspicious

Derived Forms

vigilantly, adverb
vigilantness, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin vigilāns keeping awake, from vigilāre to be watchful; see vigil

Word Origin and History for vigilant

adj.

late 15c., from Latin vigilantia "wakefulness," from vigilia (see vigil). Related: Vigilantly.