Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Aware of something; noticing or realizing something: The state of being mentally awake and able to perceive, feel, or think about one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, or surroundings.
   • Deliberate and intentional: Done with full awareness and purpose; not accidental.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • She was conscious of someone watching her. (She had a feeling or awareness that someone was watching.)
  • Despite the injury, he remained conscious throughout the ordeal. (He did not lose awareness or pass out.)
  • The company made a conscious decision to use recycled materials. (The decision was made deliberately and intentionally.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be conscious of": To be aware of or sensitive to something.
  • He is very conscious of his responsibilities as a leader.
• "To become conscious": To regain awareness, especially after being unconscious.
  • The patient became conscious a few hours after the surgery.
• "Conscious effort/choice": An action or decision made with deliberate thought and intention.
  • She made a conscious effort to be more patient.

Variants and Related Words

• Consciously (adverb): In a deliberate and intentional way.
  • He consciously avoided the topic.
• Consciousness (noun): The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and identity; awareness.
  • The blow to his head caused a loss of consciousness.
• Self-conscious (adjective): Feeling undue awareness of oneself, one's appearance, or one's actions, often leading to nervousness.
  • He felt self-conscious giving the speech.
• Subconscious (adjective/noun): Concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's feelings and actions.
  • A subconscious desire.

Synonyms

• Aware: Having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
• Deliberate: Done consciously and intentionally.
• Intentional: Done on purpose.

Antonyms

• Unconscious: Not awake and aware of one's surroundings; done or existing without one's awareness.
• Unaware: Having no knowledge of a situation or fact.
• Inadvertent: Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Cost-conscious: Careful about spending money; concerned with cost.
  • The cost-conscious traveler looked for budget accommodations.
• Fashion-conscious: Interested in and knowledgeable about current fashion trends.
  • She is very fashion-conscious and always wears the latest styles.
• Socially conscious: Aware of important social issues and problems.
  • The socially conscious company donates a portion of its profits to charity.

Adjective

1. (followed by `of') showing realization or recognition of something
   • few voters seem conscious of the issue's importance
   • conscious of having succeeded
   • the careful tread of one conscious of his alcoholic load- Thomas Hardy
2. knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts
   • remained conscious during the operation
   • conscious of his faults
   • became conscious that he was being followed
3. intentionally conceived
   • a conscious effort to speak more slowly
   • a conscious policy