C1nounformal3K

Consciousness

UK /["/ˈkɒnʃəsnəs/"]/US /["/ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/"]/

Definition

the state of being able to use your senses and mental powers to understand what is happening

In simple words: Being aware of yourself and your surroundings.

Examples

  • After the accident, the patient regained consciousness within a few minutes.
  • Meditation can help increase your consciousness of the present moment.
  • Philosophers debate the nature of consciousness and how it arises in the brain.
  • He lost consciousness during the surgery but woke up feeling fine afterward.
  • Environmental consciousness is growing as people become more aware of climate change.
  • The driver was unconscious after the crash, showing no signs of consciousness.

Usage notes

Used in psychological or philosophical contexts. Avoid in casual conversation; try using simpler words like 'awareness' instead.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'conscious' like a light bulb that lights up your awareness.

Collocations

  • full
  • higher
  • cosmic
  • lose
  • recover
  • regain
  • a level of consciousness
  • a state of consciousness
  • full
  • growing
  • collective
  • develop
  • raise
  • enter
  • in (the) consciousness
  • consciousness  about
  • consciousness  among

Synonyms

  • awareness

Antonyms

  • unconsciousness
  • ignorance

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'subconsciousness', which refers to thoughts below the level of awareness.
  • Incorrectly used as a countable noun; 'consciousness' is uncountable.
  • Mispronunciation as 'con-scious-ness' instead of 'con-shus-ness'.