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

Holle, then 20, was at home and asleep when the killing happened. —Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026

Your body needs to drop its core temperature to fall and stay asleep. —Allison Palmer march 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026

Adverb

Users report falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

Giovanna had fallen back asleep. —Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 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