adj

aware

uh-WEH-uh

adj

Having knowledge or realisation of something.

"She wasn't aware that the shop had already closed."

"He became increasingly aware of the noise outside."

Alert and watchful, especially regarding danger.

"Stay aware of your surroundings when walking home late at night."

How to Use Aware

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishKnowing about or noticing something.

Common mistake

Aware is always followed by "of" when naming what you know about — "aware of the problem", not "aware the problem".

Common pairings

aware of the risks become aware fully aware

more aware comparative, awarer comparative, awared past tense, awares singular, most aware superlative, awarest superlative

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She wasn't _____ that the shop had already closed.

From Old English ġewær, from Proto-Germanic *waraz, "aware, cautious" — related to Dutch gewaar and German gewahr.

witting in the know on the ball on the same page sharp up to speed up-to-date with it

unaware

distinct learned conscious bitter flat sharp obsolete intelligent

are dare care hare mare fare bare rare ware gare share snare

witting in the know on the ball on the same page sharp up to speed up-to-date with it unaware distinct learned conscious