What does vigil mean?
A vigil is a period of staying awake or keeping watch, most often during the night. The noun commonly describes a solemn observance, such as a candlelight vigil, a night of prayer, or a vigil for someone who has died. It can also refer more generally to any period of wakefulness or watchfulness. As a verb, vigil means to remain awake or keep watch, though this use is relatively uncommon and has a formal or literary tone. The word is especially associated with endurance, devotion, mourning, and concern for another person. Its history reflects its original association with the night: the English word comes through Latin from vigere, a root meaning to be awake or lively. The same root connects vigil with words such as vigilance, vigilant, vigour, and vigorous.
A period of staying awake, especially at night; a watch kept during a night or solemn occasion.
"Hundreds of people joined the candlelight vigil for the victims."
Often used in solemn, religious, memorial, or emergency contexts.
To keep watch or remain awake, especially at night.
"She continued to vigil at his bedside until morning."
This use is relatively uncommon and tends to sound formal or literary.
The plural is used when referring to multiple periods of watchfulness or observances.
"They held vigils outside the hospital throughout the night."
From Latin for staying awake, a vigil literally means keeping watch—and in English it often becomes a solemn act of remembrance or devotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vigil come from?
English inherited both the noun and verb from Latin, where the related forms signified watching or keeping awake. The word developed through Middle English from Latin vigilia, meaning a watch or period of wakefulness, with the verb associated with Latin vigilare, “to keep watch.” Its Latin root, vigere, also underlies English cognates and derivatives such as vigilant, vigilance, vigour, and vigorous.
Related word forms
How vigil is actually used
The noun is formal and often solemn, particularly in religious, memorial, or emergency contexts. The verb is less common than the noun and can sound slightly formal or literary; it means to stay awake or keep watch rather than simply to remain nearby.
Easily confused with vigil
A vigil is a period of watching or staying awake, whereas vigilant describes someone who is alert and watchful.