Cognizant
ˈkɒɡnɪzənt
Definitions
Aware of something; having knowledge or understanding.
ˈkɒɡnɪzənt
Having or showing knowledge or awareness of something.
The teacher was cognizant of the students' difficulties.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking down the street, and you see a sign warning about construction. Being 'cognizant' means you're aware of that sign and the potential danger. It means you're paying attention!
👶 For kids: Knowing or understanding something.
More Examples
He was cognizant of the potential risks.
They need to be cognizant of the cultural differences when marketing the product.
How It's Used
"The court must be cognizant of all relevant evidence."
"The company is cognizant of market trends."
"Being cognizant of your surroundings is important for safety."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Be cognizant of
To be aware of something and to take it into consideration.
"The team needs to be cognizant of the deadlines."
From Latin *cognoscens*, present participle of *cognoscere* 'to get to know, recognize'. It entered English in the 17th century, initially associated with legal contexts.
Used widely in legal and philosophical texts during the 18th and 19th centuries to denote awareness and understanding.
Memory tip
Think 'cognitive' - related to thinking and knowing. Being cognizant means you're using your cognitive abilities to understand something.
Word Origin
"to get to know, to recognize, to learn"