asleep

asleep

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling

• /əˈsliːp/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed, as in "about")

• sleep - /ˈsliːp/ (as in "sleep", primary stress)

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 Word Form Variations

Asleep" primarily functions as an an adjective (predicative use) or an adverb. It does not have singular/plural forms, tense inflections, or other variations common to nouns, verbs.

• Adjective:

• Base form: asleep

• Comparative: more asleep

• Superlative: most asleep

• Adverb:

• asleep (less common than adjectival use, often interchangeable)

• Related forms (but not direct variations of "asleep" itself):

• Verb: sleep

• Noun: sleep, slumber

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adjective

1. In a state of sleep; sleeping. (Used predicatively, typically after a verb like "be," "fall," or "remain")

• Example: "The baby is asleep in her crib."

• Synonyms: sleeping, slumbering, dozing, napping, unconscious

• Antonyms: awake, awake, conscious, wakeful, alert

2. Figuratively, in a state of being unaware or inattentive to what is happening or to one's duties.

• Example: "The security guard was asleep at the wheel, missing the crucial event."

• Synonyms: oblivious, unaware, inattentive, negligent, lax, idle

• Antonyms: alert, aware, vigilant, attentive, diligent

3. (Of a limb) numb or tingling due to restricted circulation.

• Example: "My foot fell asleep after sitting cross-legged for too long."

• Synonyms: numb, tingling, pins and needles, insensate

• Antonyms: sensitive, feeling, alert

Adverb

1. Into a state of sleep. (Often used with verbs of movement, like "fall")

• Example: "He quickly fell asleep after his long journey."

• Synonyms: to sleep, into slumber

• Antonyms: awake, to wakefulness

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 Examples of Use

• Books:

• "The baby was sound asleep, curled peacefully in her mother's arms." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1997, adapted for brevity)

• Newspapers:

• "Critics argue that the government has been asleep at the wheel concerning the escalating housing crisis." (The Guardian)

• Online Publications:

• "Tips for falling asleep faster when you're struggling with insomnia." (Mayo Clinic Health System)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "Are you still asleep? It's almost noon!" (Common dialogue in TV sitcoms, e.g., Friends, 1994-2004)

• "This is my favorite lullaby; it always helps me fall asleep." (User comment on a YouTube children's channel)

• "My leg fell asleep after sitting in that awkward position for too long." (Dialogue from a podcast, "The Daily Dose of Humor,")

• General Public Discourse:

• "The whole town seemed asleep when we arrived late at night."

• "Don't wake him up; he's fast asleep."

• "My arm fell asleep watching TV."

• "She was so tired, she almost fell asleep at her desk."

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10 Quotes Using Asleep

1. "A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep." (From Disney's Cinderella, 1950)

2. "The security guard was asleep at the wheel, missing the crucial event." (Common idiom, widely understood)

3. "They are trying to put us to sleep, but we are not asleep." (A common phrase in protest or awareness movements)

4. "Sometimes, the greatest peace is found when you are truly asleep." (A common philosophical or comforting sentiment)

5. "My foot fell asleep after sitting in that awkward position for too long." (A widely relatable physical experience)

6. "He was sound asleep, lost in dreams of adventure." (Common descriptive phrase in literature and film)

7. "The world seems completely different when everyone else is asleep." (A common observational phrase about quiet moments)

8. "You should never go to bed angry; try to fall asleep in peace." (Common relationship advice)

9. "The whole city appeared asleep in the early morning light." (Common descriptive line in literature and film)

10. "Don't let yesterday take up too much of today. Go to bed, fall asleep, and try again tomorrow." (A common motivational sentiment, often unattributed)

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Etymology

The word "asleep" means to be in a state of sleep, and its history shows a clear combination of two older English words.

It comes from the Old English phrase "on slǣpe" or "on slæpe," which literally meant:

• "on": meaning "in" or "into."

• "slǣpe" / "slæpe": a form of the noun "sleep."

So, the phrase "on slǣpe" meant "in (a state of) sleep."

Over time, these two words gradually merged together into a single word. The "on-" prefix changed to "a-" (which is common in English for words like "awake" or "abroad").

The first known use of "asleep" in English (in its Old English form "on slǣpe") appeared in texts around the 9th century. Its original meaning was consistent with its literal parts: in a state of sleep or sleeping. This core meaning has remained remarkably stable throughout its long history.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Asleep

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "asleep":

• Fast asleep (sleeping deeply)

• Fall asleep (to begin to sleep)

• Asleep at the wheel (not paying attention to one's responsibilities or to what is happening)

• Sound asleep (sleeping very deeply and peacefully)

• My arm/leg fell asleep (a limb has become numb and tingly)

• Go to sleep (to begin to sleep)

• Send someone to sleep (to make someone feel very bored or tired)

• Dead asleep (sleeping very deeply, often implying difficulty in waking)

• To be oblivious (using a synonym for similar effect, meaning unaware or inattentive)

• In a deep slumber (using a synonym for similar effect, referring to deep sleep)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of asleep from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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