# conscious

/ˈkɑnʃəs/ (US) · /kˈɒnʃəs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. awake and alert

adjective · CEFR B2

awake and able to see, hear, and think.

For teachers: physiologically awake and responsive to stimuli; possessing active mental faculties.

- The patient was fully conscious and able to answer the doctor's questions.
- Although the victim had suffered a significant blow to the head, he remained conscious until the paramedics arrived at the scene.

### 2. aware of something

adjective · CEFR B2

noticing or being aware of a particular fact or feeling.

For teachers: having knowledge or awareness of an external object, state, or fact; often followed by 'of'.

- She was conscious of someone following her down the street.
- The speaker was acutely conscious of the growing tension in the room as he addressed the controversial budget cuts.

### 3. intentional

adjective · CEFR B2

done on purpose after thinking about it.

For teachers: resulting from a deliberate mental choice or intention rather than instinct or habit.

- He made a conscious effort to be more polite to his colleagues.
- The designer made a conscious decision to use only recycled materials, even though it increased the total production cost.

### 4. concerned about a topic

adjective · CEFR B2

caring a lot about a specific issue, like the environment or health.

For teachers: strongly interested in or concerned about a particular subject; frequently used in compounds like 'fashion-conscious'.

- Many young people are very environmentally conscious these days.
- The brand targets health-conscious consumers who are willing to pay a premium for organic, sugar-free alternatives.

## Examples

- The patient was fully conscious during the short operation.
- She suddenly became conscious of the fact that everyone in the quiet room was staring at her.
- The author made a conscious effort to avoid academic jargon, ensuring the text remained accessible to a broader audience without sacrificing intellectual rigor.

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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.