awareness
gb/əwˈɛɹnəs/ us/əwˈɛɹnəs/
B1
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Knowledge of a situation or fact
When you know about something or understand it.
Usage pattern:
awareness of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'awareness' with 'consciousness'. 'Awareness' is about knowing or understanding; 'consciousness' often means being awake or mentally present.
Synonyms
knowledge (General term for information you know; not limited to being conscious of it at the moment.)
|
understanding (Implies deeper comprehension rather than just knowing something exists.)
Antonyms
ignorance (Lack of knowledge or awareness about something.)
Collocations
raise awareness
|public awareness
|awareness campaign
|increase awareness
|heightened awareness
Themes
daily life
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The campaign aims to raise public awareness of climate change.
- She has a strong awareness of cultural differences.
- Awareness of the risks is essential before starting the project.
- The book increased my awareness of environmental issues.
- Public awareness about healthy eating has grown in recent years.
Learner examples
- I have an awareness of the problem.
- The teacher wants to raise awareness about recycling.
- He has no awareness of the danger.
- Awareness of the rules is important.
- We need more awareness of road safety.
Noun
B2
state
2
Conscious noticing of something
When you see, hear, or feel something and know it is there.
Usage pattern:
awareness of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'awareness' when they mean 'attention'. 'Awareness' is more about the state of knowing or sensing, not actively focusing.
Synonyms
consciousness (Broader term meaning the state of being awake and aware; can be more general than specific noticing.)
|
perception (Focuses on how you sense or interpret something, not just knowing it exists.)
Antonyms
unawareness (Not noticing or realizing something that is happening.)
Collocations
heightened awareness
|awareness level
|awareness training
Themes
psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He had no awareness of the car approaching from behind.
- Meditation can improve your awareness of the present moment.
- Her awareness of the music deepened as she listened carefully.
- They walked in silence, each with an acute awareness of the other's presence.
- The medicine dulled his awareness of pain.
Learner examples
- I had no awareness of the noise.
- She has an awareness of people watching her.
- He lost awareness after he fell.
- Meditation can help your awareness of your body.
- We need to keep our awareness high while driving.
Grammar
Dictionary form
awareness
IPA
GB/əwˈɛɹnəs/
US/əwˈɛɹnəs/
Syllables & stress
aware - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ness)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: awareness
- Plural: awareness, awarenesses
Word family
Expressions
heightened awareness
1/hˈaɪtənd əwˈɛɹnəs/
fixed phrase
Increased noticing or understanding
A stronger feeling or knowledge about something than usual.
Examples
- Traveling alone gave her a heightened awareness of her surroundings.
- There is heightened awareness of security after the incident.
public awareness
1/pˈʌblɪk əwˈɛɹnəs/
fixed phrase
General population's knowledge about a subject
What many people in a place know and understand about something.
Examples
- Public awareness of health issues has increased in recent years.
- The event was held to improve public awareness about recycling.
raise awareness
1/ɹˈeɪz əwˈɛɹnəs/
fixed phrase
Make more people know about something important
To help more people know and think about an important subject or problem.
Examples
- The campaign aims to raise awareness about climate change.
- The charity works to raise awareness about mental health issues.
- We organized an event to raise awareness of mental health issues.
- We organized a march to raise awareness of climate change.