asleep

1 of 2

adjective

1
: being in a state of sleep
2
: dead
3
: lacking sensation : numb
4
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni texted his mother, who had been studying for an upcoming pharmacy board exam and was asleep. Janelle Griffith, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025 The clip shows a woman—who is said to be around 6.5 feet tall—gingerly climbing over a fellow passenger who appears to be asleep in the aisle seat. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Among the exercises studied, yoga, tai chi, and walking or jogging showed the most promising evidence of helping participants fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, with less awakenings. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 17 July 2025 Insomnia—having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep—can cause sleep deprivation. Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for asleep

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of asleep was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Asleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asleep. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

asleep

1 of 2 adjective
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
1
: being in a state of sleep
2
: lacking sensation : numb

asleep

2 of 2 adverb
: into a state of sleep

More from Merriam-Webster on asleep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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