Awake
/əˈweɪk/
adjectiveBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
Not sleeping; conscious and alert.
/əˈweɪk/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
General
Not asleep; conscious.
The baby finally woke and is now awake.
💡 Simply: Not sleeping.
More Examples
2
I was awake long before sunrise.
How It's Used
General
"I was awake all night."
2
To become conscious; to rouse from sleep.
/əˈweɪk/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To stop being asleep; to rouse from sleep.
He awoke with a start.
💡 Simply: To wake up.
More Examples
2
The loud noise awoke me.
How It's Used
General
"I awoke to the sound of birds singing."
Tip:Think of the opposite of 'sleep'.
From Old English *āwǣc, from *ā- (on, up) + wǣc (watch, wake). Related to words meaning 'watch' or 'be vigilant'.
The word has maintained a consistent meaning throughout its history, referring to the state of being conscious.
Memory tip
Think of 'a' (not) + 'wake' (sleep) = not sleeping.
Practice
awokeawaik
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written