vigilant Hear it!

vigilant Definition

vigi·lant (vijə lənt)

adjective

staying watchful and alert to danger or trouble

Etymology: Fr < L vigilans, prp. of vigilare, to watch < vigil, awake: see vigil

vigilant Related Forms
vigi·lantly adverb
vigilant Synonyms

vigilant

modif.

alert, watchful, keenly aware; see careful, observant 1, 2. See syn. study at watchful.

vigilant Usage Examples

Preposition: at

  • time: Be vigilant at all times to protect young people from risk.

Modifies a noun

  • eye: On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses.
  • watch: Hatteras and Johnson were informed how matters stood, and it was resolved to maintain a vigilant watch.

Modifying Another Word

  • especially: Be especially vigilant with any horse that has a history of colic.
  • particularly: Those with HIV are advised to be particularly vigilant.
  • constantly: Principle #3: The defender must be constantly vigilant; the attacker can strike at will.
  • ever: Well, we must be ever vigilant to retain what we have gained.
  • extremely: Workers must be extremely vigilant of the aim of the new government to compromise their struggles.
  • very: All staff need to be very vigilant about bogus calls.

Infinitive complement

  • ensure: Trustees should be vigilant to ensure they remain informed of any specific requirements.
  • prevent: An alpha wolf will have to be vigilant to prevent a stranger from mating with his or her partner.
  • protect: Given unlimited powers by his citizens, he was ever vigilant to protect their rights.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: The undead demons have a great power to corrupt, for which the hunter must at all times remain vigilant.
  • stay: The Best Defense for Your Credit Security: Stay vigilant.
  • become: Conclusion The Commission is becoming increasingly vigilant in applying the EC state aid rules.
  • keep: This experience is typical of observing nature in the wild, you have to keep vigilant at all times even behind you!

Preposition: in

  • face: We should, therefore, be encouraged and remain ever more vigilant in the face of discrimination and persecution!
  • order: In turn, however, shopkeepers must recognize the need to be vigilant in order to prevent sales to the underage.
  • place: There is a high threat from global terrorism in Kenya and visitors should be vigilant in public places and tourist sites.

Preposition: for

  • sign: If you keep poultry or domestic birds please remain vigilant for signs of the disease.
vigilant Quotes

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

—Bible (NewTestament)

Browse dictionary entries near vigilant

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  2. vigilance
  3. vigil light
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  6. viga
  7. vig
  8. viewy
  9. viewpoint
  10. viewless
  1. vigilante
  2. vigilantism
  3. vigneron
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  5. Vigny
  6. Vigo
  7. vigor
  8. vigorish
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  10. vigorous