VIGILANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does vigilant mean? 

• VIGILANT (adjective)
  The adjective VIGILANT has 1 sense:

1. carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger

  Familiarity information: VIGILANT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VIGILANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger

Synonyms:

argus-eyed; open-eyed; vigilant; wakeful

Context example:

a watchful parent with a toddler in tow

Similar:

alert; watchful (engaged in or accustomed to close observation)

Derivation:

vigilance (vigilant attentiveness)

vigilance (the process of paying close and continuous attention)

 Context examples 

As long as you are focused on protecting your computer systems, you should be fine, but you will have to stay vigilant for months.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

It was in taking advantage of such circumstances that the art of ringcraft lay, and many a shrewd and vigilant second had won a losing battle for his man.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He bristled and showed his teeth, his eyes vigilant, his whole body wary and prepared for anything.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Through the forest they crept noiselessly, Buck at the hairy man’s heels; and they were alert and vigilant, the pair of them, ears twitching and moving and nostrils quivering, for the man heard and smelled as keenly as Buck.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Encountering predators, adapting to a novel environment or expecting a reward ― these stressful or emotionally-salient situations require animals to shift their behavior to a vigilant state, altering their physiological conditions through modulation of autonomic and endocrine functions.

(The Secret Connection between Anxiety, Sleep, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

But this description, I confess, does by no means affect the British nation, who may be an example to the whole world for their wisdom, care, and justice in planting colonies; their liberal endowments for the advancement of religion and learning; their choice of devout and able pastors to propagate Christianity; their caution in stocking their provinces with people of sober lives and conversations from this the mother kingdom; their strict regard to the distribution of justice, in supplying the civil administration through all their colonies with officers of the greatest abilities, utter strangers to corruption; and, to crown all, by sending the most vigilant and virtuous governors, who have no other views than the happiness of the people over whom they preside, and the honour of the king their master.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

A new moon starts a path forward, so you will need to be vigilant about unexpected expenses in the weeks ahead.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Thus he was on duty all the time, ever vigilant and faithful, the most valuable of all the dogs.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Mercury will retrograde in your workaday sector (sixth house), so you will need to be vigilant over details of projects, for that is where you are most likely to see errors and do-overs crop up.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)