French Conversation · Level 86
60 words
French word
vigilance
Pronunciation
IPA/viʒilɑ̃s/
Meaning
- feminine nouncaution
Example
Fais preuve de vigilance près de l'eau.
Exercise caution near the water.
More examples
La vigilance des passagers a permis d'éviter un vol.
The passengers' vigilance helped prevent a theft.
Core concept
Focused attention maintained long enough to prevent an oversight or respond to a threat.
Common phrases
faire preuve de vigilance
exercise vigilance
avec vigilance
with vigilance
mesures de vigilance
vigilance measures
Similar words
attention: Focused awareness of changes or dangers in the surroundings.
prudence: The quality of avoiding rash actions and making careful decisions.
précaution: A specific measure or preparation taken in advance to reduce danger.
Definition in French
Disposition à rester attentif et à surveiller une situation pour éviter un risque ou une erreur.
Word origin
Vigilance entered French through the Latin noun vigilantia, related to vigilans, meaning 'watchful', from the verb vigilare.
Usage tips
- Vigilance is more formal than everyday attention in many warnings, where fais attention is often more natural.
Other meanings
- alertnessnoun
Opposites
- négligencenegligencenoun
- insouciancecarelessnessnoun
Related words
- vigilantvigilantadjective
- vigilammentvigilantlyadverb