# awareness

/əˈwɛɹnəs/ (US) · /ɐwˈeənəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awareness
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. knowledge of a situation

noun · CEFR B2

knowing that something exists or understanding a situation.

For teachers: the state of being conscious of something; the ability to perceive or be cognizant of a fact or situation.

- The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the importance of recycling.
- Environmental groups are working to increase public awareness of the long-term consequences of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Usage: Commonly used with the verbs 'raise', 'increase', or 'heighten'.

### 2. physical consciousness

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the state of being awake and able to see, hear, and feel what is happening around you.

For teachers: the state or level of consciousness where sensory data can be confirmed by an observer.

- The patient began to regain awareness a few hours after the surgery.
- The medical team monitored the patient's fluctuating levels of awareness following the traumatic head injury.

Usage: Often used in medical or psychological contexts to describe a state of being.

## Examples

- We need to raise awareness about the importance of recycling.
- The new health campaign aims to increase public awareness of the disease so people can recognize the early symptoms.
- Developing a keen spatial awareness allows elite athletes to anticipate their opponents' movements and react instinctively to rapidly changing dynamics on the field.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.