What does "conscious" mean?
The part of the mind that is aware of itself; the consciousness.
Conscious
/ˈkɑn.ʃəs/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The part of the mind that is aware of itself; the consciousness.
- Grammar: conscious is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aboveground, advertent, advised, agog.
- Useful contrasts: asleep, unaware, unconscious.
- Usage evidence: I was conscious that something was missing.
How to use "conscious"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "conscious" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "conscious" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "conscious" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "conscious" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "conscious" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aboveground" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "conscious", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The part of the mind that is aware of itself; the consciousness.
Adjective
- 1 Alert, awake; with one's mental faculties active.
"The noise woke me, but it was another few minutes before I was fully conscious."
- 2 Aware of one's own existence; aware of one's own awareness.
"The best indicator of your level of consciousness is how you deal with life's challenges when they come. Through those challenges, an already unconscious person tends to become more deeply unconscious, and a conscious person more intensely conscious."
- 3 Aware of, sensitive to; observing and noticing, or being strongly interested in or concerned about.
"I was conscious of a noise behind me. a very class-conscious analysis"
- 4 Deliberate, intentional, done with awareness of what one is doing.
"He candidly confesses that it is an effort to account for Joseph Smith upon some other hypothesis than that he was a conscious fraud, bent on deceiving mankind."
- 5 Known or felt personally, internally by a person.
"conscious guilt"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Self-conscious, or aware of wrongdoing, feeling guilty. rare
"He coloured very deeply, and giving a momentary glance at Elinor, replied, “Yes; it is my sister’s hair. The setting always casts a different shade on it, you know.” Elinor had met his eye, and looked conscious likewise.."
Adjective
- 1 (followed by ‘of’) showing realization or recognition of something wordnet
- 2 knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts wordnet
- 3 intentionally conceived wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I was conscious that something was missing."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "conscious"?
Common synonyms include: aboveground, advertent, advised, agog, aimed, aimed at.
How do you use "conscious" in a sentence?
I was conscious that something was missing.
How do you pronounce "conscious"?
Pronounced /ˈkɑn.ʃəs/.
Etymology
First use appears c. 1573 in the sense of "aware of wrongdoing".https://web.archive.org/web/20220714064352/https://www.lexico.com/definition/conscious From Latin cōnscius (“conscious, conscious of guilt”), itself from con- (a form of com- (“together”)) + scīre (“to know”) + -us.