Pronunciation: [vˈɪd͡ʒɪlənt] (IPA) 
Vigilant (/ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/) is spelled with a "g" instead of a "j" because it comes from the Latin word "vigilare." The "g" in Latin was pronounced like the "g" in "garden," unlike the "j" sound in English. That's why the spelling of "vigilant" reflects its Latin origin. This word means watchful, alert, and attentive. To remain vigilant is to stay alert and watchful in order to avoid harm or danger.
Vigilant is an adjective that describes the state or characteristic of being watchful, alert, and attentive. It refers to being on constant guard against potential dangers, risks, or threats, and taking necessary precautions to prevent harm or ensure safety.
A vigilant person is highly aware of their surroundings, actively observing and monitoring their environment to detect any signs of suspicious activity or potential harm. They are vigilant not only in physical settings but also in other aspects of life, such as staying vigilant in protecting their privacy and personal information.
Being vigilant implies a sense of caution and readiness, always prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any situation. This state of attentiveness is often associated with staying awake or being on the lookout during the night, as in a nighttime vigil. However, vigilant doesn't necessarily indicate a literal act of staying awake but rather implies a mental state of remaining watchful and perceptive.
Vigilance is a highly valued trait in fields like security, law enforcement, and military, as it directly contributes to preventing potential threats and maintaining safety. It is also important in personal growth and development, as being vigilant enables individuals to be proactive, set goals, and make well-informed decisions based on careful observation and analysis.
In summary, vigilant can be defined as the quality of being watchful, alert, and attentive, maintaining a state of constant vigilance and readiness to detect and respond to potential dangers or risks.
Watchful; attentive to discover and avoid danger.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "vigilant" has its origin in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "vigilans", which is the present participle of the verb "vigilare", meaning "to watch, to be watchful". The word "vigilans" was formed by combining the prefix "vi-" (meaning "completely" or "intensely") with the word "gilo" (meaning "to keep watch"). Over time, the word "vigilant" was adopted into English and retained its meaning of being watchful, alert, or observant.
