cognizant
KOG-nih-zuntadjMeaning aware; knowing about something
Memory hook reCOGNIZE-ant: you recognize what is going on. Dev recognizes the cracked ice and the warning sign, so he stays on the shore. He is cognizant of the danger.
The hikers were cognizant of the park’s bear rules because they had read every sign at the trailhead.
In context The new principal was cognizant of the school’s problems before she arrived; she had read every report and talked with dozens of parents.
Similar aware, conscious, informed, mindful
Opposite unaware, ignorant, oblivious
From cognizance, from Old French conoissance, “knowledge,” from Latin cognoscere, “to get to know.”