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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/ˈvɪd͡ʒɪlənt/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:V IH1 JH AH0 L AH0 N T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Watchful, especially for danger or disorder; alert; wary
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Be vigilant for signs of disease in your garden.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
In vigilance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective satellite
Meaning 3
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a policy of open-eyed awareness
the vigilant eye of the town watch
there was a watchful dignity in the room
a watchful parent with a toddler in tow
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: argus-eyed, open-eyed, wakeful
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From French vigilant or its source, Latin vigilans, present participle of vigilare (“stay awake”), from vigil (“awake”). Doublet of vigilante, from Spanish. Displaced Old English wacor.
Across languages
Translations
65 source translations are retained for this English entry.
