Vigilant

Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties; alert and ready to respond.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine a security guard patrolling a museum at night. The guard’s eyes scan every corner, ears perked for any sound, fingers resting on the alarm, always ready to act the moment something seems off.

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Sounds Like

VIG-i-luhnt

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Looks Like

Looks like the word 'vigil' + 'ant' (a watchful guardian ant).

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Remember This

Vigilant comes from the Latin vigilare, to stay awake. A vigilant person embodies constant alertness, not just occasional attention.

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Other Forms

vigilancenoun

vigilantlyadverb

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Connect With

watchful, alert, attentive, wary, vigilance, surveillance

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Note

Avoid confusing with vigilante. Vigilant describes ongoing watchfulness; vigilant implies proactive guarding, while vigilantism involves taking enforcement into one's own hands.

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Study Deeper

Examples

Security personnel remained vigilant throughout the night shift, checking doors every few minutes.
Parents should be vigilant about their children's online activity to protect them from danger.

Synonyms

watchfulalertattentiveobservantcautious

Antonyms

carelessnegligentinattentiveunaware

Etymology

From Latin vigilans, vigil- 'watchful', from vigilare 'to stay awake, watch'.

Mnemonic

VIGILANT = VIGIL + ANT: picture a vigilant ant standing guard with antennae up, always watchful of the colony.