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 of asleep

Adjective

• sleeping
• resting
• dormant

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

Like a bright headlight facing you dead on or the sudden honk of a loud horn, only the jump scares keep you from falling asleep during the seemingly interminable Passenger. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

Other nights, her husband has awakened to find her up but still asleep, wrapping toilet paper around furniture like bandages. —Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

Adverb

And in 2017, police found Woods asleep behind the wheel of his car, which had sustained some damage to its driver’s side, officials said. —David K. Li, NBC news, 12 May 2026

Her account is full of the two cats playing together, begging for treats, and cuddled up asleep—but the owner recently noticed something special about how Mayaa likes to lie curled up in her puffer jacket. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for asleep

• upkeep
• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep

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