asleep

1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈslēp 

1

: being in a state of sleep

2

: dead

3

: lacking sensation : numb

4

a

: inactive, dormant

b

: not alert : indifferent

asleep

2 of 2

adverb

1

: into a state of sleep

2

: into the sleep of death

3

: into a state of inactivity, sluggishness, or indifference

Synonyms

Adjective

• dormant
• dozing
• napping
• resting
• sleeping
• slumbering

Examples of asleep in a Sentence

Adjective

“Are you asleep?” “No, I'm awake.”

He tries to clean up the house while the kids are asleep.

The cats are asleep on the floor.

She was still asleep at noon.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Reynoso was asleep on a couch in the front part of his home when Birba and a co-defendant, 23-year-old Christopher Paez Jr., allegedly walked up and shot him several times through a front window. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024

The Dohm sound machine helps little ones fall and stay asleep in new and strange places. —Noah Kaufman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2024

Adverb

Sleep problems: Both depression and migraine cause insomnia—difficulty falling or staying asleep—and changes in sleep patterns. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024

Maintaining good sleep habits is also essential to falling and staying asleep easily. —Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English aslepe, from Old English on slæpe

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing asleep

• fall asleep
• half asleep

Kids Definition

asleep

1 of 2 adjective

ə-ˈslēp 

1

: being in a state of sleep

2

: lacking sensation : numb

my foot was asleep

asleep

2 of 2 adverb

: into a state of sleep

Medical Definition

asleep

1 of 2 adjective

ə-ˈslēp 

1

: being in a state of sleep

2

: lacking sensation : numb

asleep

2 of 2 adverb

: into a state of sleep