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

When her house was struck in February 2025, Fatma Ageb’s husband was asleep. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

The truck driver who was accused of falling asleep and causing a crash that killed five people on Interstate 20 in North Texas last year has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

Adverb

Key Takeaways Drinking valerian root tea may improve sleep quality and help people fall asleep faster. — Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026

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

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