CONSCIOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does conscious mean? 

• CONSCIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective CONSCIOUS has 3 senses:

1. intentionally conceived

2. knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts

3. (followed by 'of') showing realization or recognition of something

  Familiarity information: CONSCIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONSCIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Intentionally conceived

Synonyms:

conscious; witting

Context example:

a conscious policy

Similar:

intended (resulting from one's intentions)

Derivation:

consciousness (an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts

Context example:

became conscious that he was being followed

Similar:

self-aware; self-conscious (aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts)

semiconscious (partially conscious; not completely aware of sensations)

sentient (consciously perceiving)

Also:

awake (not in a state of sleep; completely conscious)

aware; cognisant; cognizant ((sometimes followed by 'of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception)

sensible; sensitive (able to feel or perceive)

voluntary (of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled)

Antonym:

unconscious (not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead)

Derivation:

consciousness (an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(followed by 'of') showing realization or recognition of something

Context example:

the careful tread of one conscious of his alcoholic load

Similar:

aware; cognisant; cognizant ((sometimes followed by 'of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception)

Derivation:

consciousness (having knowledge of)

 Context examples 

Furthermore, he got over being awkward and self-conscious.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I was crying all the time, but, except that I was conscious of being cold and dejected, I am sure I never thought why I cried.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

But he, who for the first time was becoming conscious of himself, was in no condition to judge, and he burned with shame as he stared at the vision of his infamy.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

We were conscious of a long scrutiny out of the darkness.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was the last conscious movement he was to make upon earth.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It will be much difference, mark me, whether she dies conscious or in her sleep.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He did not do much, but he thought a great deal and was conscious of a change of some sort going on in spite of himself.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

As he held on he became more and more conscious of the new stir in the land.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

And yet I was conscious of a slight shock or hurt in that she was able to do the thing I had begged her to do and which she had notably disliked.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a vague figure huddled up in the darkness.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)