being vigilant

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   The act of paying close attention to possible dangers or problems.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase after 'is' or 'requires': Being vigilant about security is important.

   Patterns

   • being vigilant about something
   • being vigilant against something

   Being vigilant about your surroundings can prevent accidents.

   The report stressed that being vigilant against fraud is everyone's responsibility.

   Being vigilant means noticing small changes before they become big problems.

2. 2adjectivenot comparableformal

   Giving careful attention to what is happening in order to notice danger.

   Grammar: Used after 'be' or before a noun: Stay vigilant. / a vigilant guard.

   Patterns

   • be vigilant
   • remain vigilant

   Security staff must remain vigilant at all times.

   She was vigilant about checking the doors before going to bed.

Common combinations

remain vigilant

Please remain vigilant and report anything unusual.

being vigilant about safety

Being vigilant about safety saved the team from a serious accident.

stay vigilant

We must stay vigilant during the storm season.

Synonyms and how they differ

watchful

Similar but often describes a person who is quietly observing, not necessarily worried about danger.

alert

Focuses on being quick to react, while 'vigilant' emphasizes ongoing careful attention.

attentive

Means paying attention in general, not specifically to possible danger.

Opposites

Word family

vigilance noun

The quality of being vigilant.

vigilantly adverb

In a vigilant way.

Commonly confused: being vigilant or vigorous?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “being vigilant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words