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vigilance

/ˈvɪdʒ.ɪ.ləns/
IELTSAcademic
noun

Careful attention to possible danger, problems, or mistakes. Vigilance means staying alert and ready to act quickly.

  • Vigilance is important when driving at night.
  • The guard kept constant vigilance.

Adinary Nuance

Vigilance is stronger and more formal than simple attention. It suggests alertness because something may go wrong, so it often appears in safety, security, health, or official writing. Use caution for a careful warning, and watchfulness for ongoing alertness; vigilance often sounds more serious than both.

In other languages

Vietnamese
sự cảnh giác
Spanish
vigilancia
Chinese
警惕
Japanese
警戒
Korean
경계

Etymology

Vigilance comes from Latin vigilare, meaning "to keep awake." It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.

Common phrases

constant vigilancemaintain vigilanceremain vigilantvigilance against

Synonyms

alertness (opens in new tab)watchfulness (opens in new tab)attentiveness (opens in new tab)guardedness (opens in new tab)

Related words

caution (opens in new tab)security (opens in new tab)carefulness (opens in new tab)surveillance (opens in new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Is vigilance formal or informal?
It is fairly formal. You will often see it in writing, news, and safety discussions.
What is the difference between vigilance and attention?
Attention means focusing on something. Vigilance means staying alert for possible danger or trouble.
Can I use vigilance in business writing?
Yes. It works well in reports about risk, safety, quality, and compliance.