Words / C1

KOGN-iz-uh-nt/ˈkɒɡnɪzənt/

Cognizant means aware of something, in formal or legal English: cognizant of the risks. Aware is the everyday word; conscious of is close; mindful is a slightly warmer cousin. British spelling is often cognisant; the -z- form is common in US and in some official British texts. Cognizance is the noun (rare). In speech, aware of is almost always better. Use cognizant when the register is minutes, law, or policy — not a text to a friend.

Meaning

Aware of something (formal: cognizant of).

Examples

• “The board was cognizant of the risks.”
• “The board was cognizant of the risks and minuted them, then voted anyway.”
• “Staff were asked to be cognizant of the new data rules; “please remember” would have done.”

Good to know

cognizant of. Formal/legal for aware. Everyday: aware. Close: conscious of. British also: cognisant. Too stiff for casual speech.

Near in meaning

aware

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