vigilance

/ˈvɪdʒɪləns/ formal

Say it: VIJ-uh-luns

noun The state of keeping careful and alert watch for potential dangers or problems.
The security guard's vigilance prevented the break-in.

📖 Seen in the wild

Constant vigilance is required to prevent security breaches in the digital age.
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✏️ vigilance in a sentence

Cybersecurity experts urged constant vigilance against new phishing scams.
Maintaining quality control requires the vigilance of every team member.
Through the long night, the sentry maintained his lonely vigilance on the castle walls.
When you're hiking in bear country, a certain level of vigilance is just common sense.
The famous quote reminds us that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
After the surgery, the nursing staff's vigilance was crucial for monitoring the patient's recovery.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

watchfulness alertness attentiveness caution surveillance wariness circumspection

watchfulness · very similar, but can be more passive than the active readiness of vigilance

alertness · emphasizes a state of readiness to respond, while vigilance emphasizes the act of watching

attentiveness · broader, referring to careful focus on any task or person, not just potential threats

caution · focuses more on avoiding risk rather than actively looking for specific dangers

Opposites: negligence, inattentiveness, carelessness, complacency

🌱 Where it comes from

Vigilance comes to English from the Latin word 'vigilantia', meaning 'wakefulness' or 'watchfulness'. It stems from the root 'vigil', which simply means 'awake' or 'watchful'. The word maintains this core idea of staying awake and alert to guard against potential trouble.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

constant vigilanceeternal vigilancerequire vigilanceexercise vigilancea lack of vigilanceheightened vigilance

Vigilance is a somewhat formal word that implies a serious and sustained state of watchfulness. It's stronger than simple 'attention' and more active and purposeful than 'caution'. The word carries a positive connotation of responsibility and necessity, suggesting that the watchfulness is crucial for safety or success.

Word family: vigilant, vigilantly, vigil, vigilante

💬 Quick answers

What does vigilance mean?

Vigilance is the state of keeping a careful and alert watch for potential dangers or difficulties. It implies an active and sustained state of watchfulness.

What is the difference between vigilance and diligence?

Vigilance is about being watchful for danger, while diligence is about showing careful and persistent effort in one's work. You show vigilance against threats, but diligence in completing a project.

Is vigilance a positive or negative word?

Vigilance is overwhelmingly positive. It suggests a responsible and necessary watchfulness that protects against harm, while a lack of vigilance is considered negative.

How do you use vigilance in a sentence?

You can say someone 'exercises vigilance' or that a situation 'requires vigilance.' For example, 'The border patrol's vigilance is essential for national security.'

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