English vocabulary · C1
Vigilance
/ˈvɪdʒ.ə.ləns/ · n.
Vigilance means watching closely for danger. You stay awake and ready to act before trouble starts. You look again and again.
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Example sentences
- His vigilance caught smoke near the door.
- Vigilance kept the child from the road.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- vigil — awake (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- ALERTNESS — ready to notice (Ready To Notice)
- WATCHFULNESS — eyes stay open (Eyes Stay Open)
- CARE — looking out (Looking Out)
Words with the same root
vigil — awake
- vigil — a watch at night
- vigilante — a private watchman
Lesson notes
Vigilance means watching closely for danger. You stay awake and ready to act before trouble starts. You look again and again.
Related: alertness, watchfulness, care. Use vigilance when danger may come soon.
His vigilance caught smoke near the door. Vigilance kept the child from the road.
From Latin. Vigil- means awake. Staying awake to watch for danger is vigilance.