Asleep — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ə-ˈslēp/

Meaning & Definition of Asleep

Asleep (adjective)

  1. being in a state of sleep
  2. dead
  3. lacking sensation, numb

Asleep (adverb)

  1. into a state of sleep
  2. into the sleep of death
  3. into a state of inactivity, sluggishness, or indifference

Asleep (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in a state of suspended consciousness

    "was sound asleep when the earthquake struck"

    similar: dormant, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering, at rest
    related: drowsy, nodding, sleepy, slumberous, somnolent, dreaming, reposing, hypnotized, mesmerized, comatose, semiconscious, sleepwalking, somnambulant
    opposite: awake, sleepless, wakeful, wide-awake
    near: aware, conscious, sleepless, aroused, astir, awakened, roused, up, wakened, reawakened, revived

  2. lacking in sensation or feeling

    "after sitting cross-legged all afternoon, I arose only to discover that my right foot was asleep"

    similar: benumbed, dead, insensitive, numb, numbed, torpid, unfeeling
    related: chilled, nipped, anesthetized, cocainized, deadened, drugged, stupefied, blunted, dulled, obtunded, insensible, senseless, unconscious, inanimate, insensate
    opposite: feeling, sensible, sensitive
    near: awake

  3. no longer living

    "let us pray for those who are now asleep"

    similar: breathless, cold, dead, deceased, defunct, demised, departed, fallen, gone, late, lifeless, low, bitten the dust
    related: extinct, dying, fading, moribund, stillborn, finished, lapsed, terminated, inanimate, insensate, nonliving
    opposite: alive, animate, breathing, going, live, living, quick
    near: animated, dynamic, lively, thriving, vibrant, vital, vivacious, active, functioning, operative, running

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Asleep

The most common words with a similar meaning to Asleep:

dormant, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering, benumbed, dead, insensitive, numb, numbed, torpid, unfeeling, breathless, cold, deceased, defunct, demised, departed, fallen, gone, late, lifeless, low, at rest, bitten the dust

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Asleep

Words with the opposite meaning of Asleep:

awake, sleepless, wakeful, wide-awake, feeling, sensible, sensitive, alive, animate, breathing, going, live, living, quick

Related Words for Asleep

drowsy, nodding, sleepy, slumberous, somnolent, dreaming, reposing, hypnotized, mesmerized, comatose, semiconscious, sleepwalking, somnambulant, chilled, nipped, anesthetized, cocainized, deadened, drugged, stupefied, blunted, dulled, obtunded, insensible, senseless, unconscious, inanimate, insensate, extinct, dying

Near Antonyms of Asleep

aware, conscious, aroused, astir, awakened, roused, up, wakened, reawakened, revived, animated, dynamic, lively, thriving, vibrant, vital, vivacious, active, functioning, operative, running

Origin & Etymology of Asleep

Middle English aslepe, from Old English on slæpe

First known use: 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Asleep

fall asleep, half asleep

Frequently Asked Questions about Asleep

What does "Asleep" mean?

"Asleep" means being in a state of sleep. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: being in a state of sleep. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Asleep"?

Other words for "Asleep" include dormant, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering, benumbed and dead. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Asleep" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Asleep"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Asleep". Common alternatives include dormant, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering, benumbed, dead, insensitive and numb.

What is the opposite of "Asleep"?

Antonyms of "Asleep" include awake, sleepless, wakeful, wide-awake, feeling, sensible, sensitive and alive. Near antonyms include aware, conscious, aroused and astir.

How do you use "Asleep" in a sentence?

Examples of "Asleep" in a sentence: "was sound asleep when the earthquake struck"; "after sitting cross-legged all afternoon, I arose only to discover that my right foot was asleep"; "let us pray for those who are now asleep".

Is "Asleep" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Asleep" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Asleep"?

"Asleep" is pronounced /ə-ˈslēp/.

What is the origin of the word "Asleep"?

"Asleep" comes from Middle English aslepe, from Old English on slæpe. First known use: 12th century.