asleep Hear it!

asleep Definition

asleep (ə slēp)

adjective

  1. in a condition of sleep; sleeping
  2. inactive; dull; sluggish
  3. numb except for a prickly feeling my arm is asleep
  4. dead

adverb

into a sleeping or inactive condition

asleep Synonyms

asleep

modif.

sleeping, dreaming, inert, quiet, resting, snoring, somnolent, in a state of sleep, in a sound sleep, sound asleep, fast asleep, dead asleep, comatose, in a torpor, slumbering, heavy with sleep, reposing, taking a siesta, in repose, hibernating, dozing, napping, drowsing, nodding, unconscious, abed, dormant, dead to the world*, in the arms of Morpheus*, in the Land of Nod*, asnore*, anesthetized*, snoozing*, conked out*, out like a light*, assuming the horizontal*, sacked out*, copping some Z's*.

Antonyms awake*, waking*, alert.

asleep Usage Examples

Preposition: on

sofa: I was asleep on the sofa the night it all began.

Preposition: at

  • wheel: Many people have been asleep at the wheel for too long.
  • time: I had got so used to the early starts, it seemed strange to still be asleep at this time.

Preposition: throughout

procedure: On arrival at the radiology department an anesthetist will give you a general anesthetic and you will be asleep throughout the procedure.

Preposition: during

operation: You will be given a general anesthetic which means that you will be asleep during the operation.

Modifies a noun

  • tonight: BB was slow to fall asleep tonight, but SB out like a light.
  • way: We went to the cinema to see this and practically fell asleep half way through!
  • upstairs: I felt very relaxed and knew Miriam was safe asleep upstairs.

Modifying Another Word

  • fast: At six o'clock in the evening a family became aware of a fire upstairs, where an infant was fast asleep in his cot.
  • deeply: Someone undergoing surgery is already deeply asleep, so surely the Reiki is merely adding to relaxation?
  • tho: The reader may judge for himself that tho asleep in Jesus, he being dead yet speaketh.
  • half: Aww he will be chuffed, he's half asleep at the mo, too many beers me thinks!
  • still: My wife was still asleep on the upper tier with my elder son.
  • soon: Daniel is soon asleep in his own bed; Alistair had never seen him looking so miserable.

Used with adjective complement

  • fall: And if you succeed in getting home without falling asleep you'll probably not get to work on time anyway.
  • stay: These may be difficulty getting to sleep ( Initial insomnia ) or difficulty staying asleep ( early morning wakening ).

Preposition: in

  • corner: He was asleep in a corner, wrapped in a warm, fur-lined cloak, as if it had been winter.
  • back: The song comes from their album Asleep in the back, which was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize 2001.
  • time: It will be asleep in a very short time ( usually a matter of seconds ).

Browse dictionary entries near asleep

  1. aslant
  2. ASL
  3. asking price
  4. askew
  5. Askelon
  6. askant
  7. askance
  8. ask
  9. -asis
  10. Asir
  1. Aslet, CliveWilliam
  2. aslope
  3. Asmara
  4. ASME
  5. Asmodeus
  6. Aso
  7. asocial
  8. Asoka
  9. asp
  10. asparagine