English Reference
Adverb

consciously

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkɑnʃəsɫi/ UK /kˈɒnʃəsli/ con·scious·ly

adv.in a way that you are fully aware of what you are doing. You use this when you make a choice on purpose, not by accident.

adv.in a manner involving full awareness and deliberate intent; not automatic or unconscious.


SIMPLE

She consciously chose to ignore the rude comment.

CONTEXTUAL

He consciously slowed his breathing to calm his nerves before the speech.

COMPLEX

The author consciously avoided using complex metaphors to ensure the narrative remained accessible to a younger audience.

Usage

Typically placed before the main verb or after the auxiliary verb.

Most people feel younger than they are, so it is rare for most to consciously reflect on their own ideas about growing older.

Phys.org· 17 Aug 2026

You don’t consciously calculate where to place every foot or which muscles to contract.

The Conversation· 14 Aug 2026

From conscious + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated