WordGarden.iovigil
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈɪdʒɪl/
US
- /ˈvɪdʒəl/
Meanings
Noun
a quiet gathering held to mourn, show support, or protest, often with candles
a period of staying awake to keep watch or attend to someone
a devotional period of prayer and wakefulness, especially before a religious feast day
Beyond the definition
A vigil is not just staying awake. It is a time of quiet, careful watching, often with a serious or emotional purpose. The word is often used for people who stay with someone who is very ill or dying, or for groups who gather to remember victims after a tragedy, often with candles. It can also keep its older religious meaning of a time of prayer and watchfulness.
The word comes from the Latin vigilia, meaning "wakefulness." In modern English, it usually suggests patience, care, and respect rather than simple alertness.
A vigil is a period of staying awake and keeping watch, usually for a serious, quiet, or meaningful reason. The word often appears in situations of care, loss, prayer, or public remembrance. Someone may keep a vigil beside the bed of a person who is very ill or near death. A community may hold a candlelit vigil after a disaster or act of violence. In religious use, a vigil can also mean a time of prayer and watchfulness, especially during the night or before an important holy day.
The idea behind the word is not just wakefulness, but purposeful wakefulness. A vigil is usually calm, steady, and respectful. It suggests that people are present because something important is happening, or because they do not want to leave someone or something unattended.
The meaning can stretch beyond mourning or religion. In some contexts, it can simply mean a long, careful watch kept over a place or situation. Even then, the word still carries a sense of seriousness and dedication. In everyday English, though, it is most strongly linked with bedside care, mourning, memorial gatherings, and quiet religious observance.
Examples
- 1
Bedside care
His daughters kept a vigil at his bedside through the night.
- 2
Public mourning
Neighbors gathered for a candlelight vigil after the fire.
- Phrasecandlelight vigil
a quiet public gathering with candles, often after a death or tragedy
- 3
Protest
Protesters held a vigil outside city hall until the mayor agreed to meet them.
- 4
Waiting for news
She kept vigil by the phone, waiting for news from the rescue team.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- night watch
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- hold a vigil
- candlelight vigil
- prayer vigil
- keep vigil
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- vigilnoun
Forms
- vigilspluralnoun