awareness

UK /əˈweənəs/ US /əˈwernəs/ Syllables: a-ware-ness

Pronunciation

Noun B1 Intermediate Neutral

Knowledge or understanding that something exists or is happening.

Awareness is knowing that something exists or understanding what is happening. You can have awareness of a danger, a problem, your own feelings or the people around you. In everyday use the word often appears in campaigns, as in raising awareness of a health problem. Close words are consciousness, understanding, knowledge, recognition and mindfulness. The opposite is ignorance or unawareness. Awareness is usually uncountable, so you say a lot of awareness, not many awarenesses. It is the noun for aware, formed by adding ness. Common patterns are awareness of something and awareness that something is true. Self-awareness is awareness of your own character and feelings.

"The campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving."

Meanings

Knowledge or understanding that something exists or is happening.
The state of being conscious of your surroundings or feelings.

Example sentences

"The campaign aims to raise awareness of mental health."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"She has a strong awareness of other people's feelings."

Level B2, Meaning 2
"There is growing awareness that sleep affects learning."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"Public awareness of the danger is low."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"His lack of awareness made him miss the warning signs."

Level B2, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

consciousness understanding

Antonyms

ignorance

Look-alikes and common mistakes

consciousness : Consciousness is being awake and able to think. Awareness is knowing about something specific.
knowledge : Knowledge is facts and skills you have learned. Awareness is knowing that something exists or is happening.
alertness : Alertness means being quick to notice and ready to act. Awareness can be quiet and calm.

Word family and forms

Forms: awarenesses

aware unaware self-awareness hyperawareness

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "awareness".

raise awareness
public awareness
awareness of
awareness campaign
increase awareness
growing awareness
lack of awareness

Origin

Awareness is made from the adjective aware plus the ending ness. Aware is a Germanic word with roots in Old English. The noun is a simple formation, so its meaning is just the state of being aware.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Awareness is aware plus ness. If you are aware of the weather, you have an awareness of it.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "The campaign aims to raise _____ of mental health."

Answer: awareness

In your own words, what does "awareness" mean?