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

In case of emergency, there’s a lyre on the nightstand that lulls him asleep. — Brandon Follick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

And while the kids may be asleep for the night, getting them up earlier for the school bus could be a challenge. — John Shumway, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Police in British Columbia are investigating after a viral video shows a woman fast asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla traveling at highway speeds. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 July 2026

Many children with insomnia before bedtime who use melatonin will be able to fall asleep faster and increase total sleep time by about a half-hour; some do not respond. — Sally Ibrahim, The Conversation, 23 June 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