adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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kŏg'nǐzənt
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈkɒɡnɪzənt/
Atlantic-Canada, General-American:/ˈkɑɡnɪzənt/
Australian:/ˈkɔɡnɪzənt/
obsolete:kŏ'nĭzənt
UK:/ˈkɒnɪzənt/
CMU ARPABET:K AA1 G N AH0 Z AH0 N T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Aware; fully informed; having understanding of a fact.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The defendant is cognizant that this is a serious charge.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Sapient; self-aware.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Is the cat truly cognizant in any real way?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective
Meaning 3
(sometimes followed by `of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
was aware of his opponent's hostility
became aware of her surroundings
aware that he had exceeded the speed limit
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: aware(p), cognisant
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
A new formation from cognizance + -ant; first attested in the 19th century. Compare Old French conoissant (present participle of conoistre; modern French connaissant), from Latin cognōscentem (accusative singular present participle of cōgnōscō).
Across languages
Translations
27 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
مُدْرِك
(mudrik)
— aware
Bulgarian:
осведомен
(osvedomen)
— aware
Bulgarian:
наясно
(najasno)
— aware
Catalan:
conscient
— aware
Chinese Mandarin:
認識到的 /认识到的
(rènshi dào de)
— aware