wake
wake
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "wake" is /weɪk/.
/weɪk/
Word Form Variations
Verb: wake (base form), wakes (third person singular present), waking (present participle), woke (past simple), woken (past participle)
Noun: wake (singular), wakes (plural)
Adjective: waking (present participle used adjectivally)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To emerge or cause to emerge from sleep.
Synonyms: awaken, rouse, arouse, stir, get up (informal)
Antonyms: sleep, slumber, doze, go to sleep, fall asleep
Definition 2: To become aware of (a fact or situation); to realize.
Synonyms: realize, become aware, recognize, understand, grasp
Antonyms: remain ignorant, be oblivious, misunderstand, overlook
Definition 3: (Often "wake up" or "wake to") To be in a specified place or condition upon waking.
Example usage: "She woke to the sound of birds." "He woke up in a strange bed."
Synonyms: arise, find oneself, discover oneself
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, refers to a state upon waking)
Definition 4: To rouse from a state of inactivity or indifference; to stir up (emotions or action).
Synonyms: stimulate, arouse, stir, incite, provoke, energize
Antonyms: calm, suppress, subdue, lull, pacify
Noun
Definition 1: The track or trail left by a boat or other object on the surface of water.
Synonyms: trail, track, path, current, wash
Antonyms: undisturbed water, still water, unbroken surface
Definition 2: The aftermath or consequences of an event or action.
Synonyms: aftermath, consequences, repercussions, result, outcome, trail
Antonyms: cause, origin, precursor, beginning, antecedent
Definition 3: A vigil held beside the body of someone who has died, especially before burial, sometimes with drinking and merrymaking.
Synonyms: vigil, funeral vigil, viewing, lying-in-state
Antonyms: funeral (as the burial ceremony itself), burial, interment
Definition 4: (Informal) An act of waking up.
Synonyms: awakening, rousing
Antonyms: sleep, slumber
Adjective (Present Participle 'waking' used adjectivally)
Definition 1: Not sleeping; conscious.
Synonyms: conscious, awake, alert, vigilant
Antonyms: asleep, unconscious, dreaming, slumbering
Definition 2: Occurring during the period of being awake.
Synonyms: conscious, day (as in waking hours)
Antonyms: sleeping, dreaming, nocturnal
Examples of Use
Books:
"He would wake before dawn, eager to start his day's work on the farm." (Fictional example from a rural novel or historical fiction)
"The book details the devastating economic impact left in the wake of the global financial crisis." (From a non-fiction book on economics or history)
"To understand true mindfulness, one must learn to be present in their waking moments, not just in dreams." (From a self-help book or philosophical text)
Newspapers:
"Residents were left to pick up the pieces in the wake of the devastating floods that swept through the region." (Daily Nation)
"The Central Bank of Kenya hopes the new policies will wake up the sluggish economy and stimulate growth." (Business Daily Africa)
"The politician's controversial statements in the wake of the scandal sparked widespread public criticism." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"How to wake up early and stay productive: Tips for a successful morning routine." (An article on a self-improvement blog, e.g., Lifehack.org)
"The new software update left a long wake of compatibility issues for older systems." (A tech review or forum discussion, e.g., TechCrunch)
"This viral video shows a dog trying to wake up its owner with funny antics." (A humorous animal content site, e.g., The Dodo)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps." (Inspired by Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," 1979)
Television Series: "Our hero must wake the ancient guardian from its slumber to save the kingdom." (Dialogue or narration from a fantasy series, e.g., The Wheel of Time)
Song Lyrics: "When I wake up in the morning, love, and the sun hits the sky, I'll be thinking of you." (From a romantic pop song)
Video Games: "Your character needs to wake the villagers to warn them of the impending monster attack." (In-game objective, e.g., Dragon Quest)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we explore the historical practice of holding a wake for the deceased in various cultures." (A podcast on cultural history or death customs, e.g., Lore)
General Public Discourse:
"What time do you wake up on weekdays?" (A common question)
"I always feel groggy when I first wake up." (A common personal observation)
"Let's wake up early tomorrow and go for a hike." (A common suggestion)
"The car alarm in the middle of the night woke us up." (A common complaint)
"The economy is starting to wake up after a long period of stagnation." (Figurative use, describing revitalization)
"He's still feeling the effects of his illness in its wake." (Referring to after-effects)
"I saw a huge boat leave a big wake behind it on Lake Naivasha." (An observation about a boat)
"A loud noise made her wake with a start." (Describing a sudden awakening)
"After the party, we had to clean up in its wake." (Referring to consequences)
"Are you fully awake yet?" (Often asked "Are you fully woken yet?", which uses the related participle form)
"The speech was meant to wakeup the complacent voters." (Figurative use, meaning to make aware)
10 Quotes Using Wake
"If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up." (J.M. Power)
"What a long, strange trip it's been." (Grateful Dead, "Truckin'," 1970) - This often refers to the journey or path left in one's wake.
"I wake up every morning and the first thing I do is look at my gratitude journal." (Oprah Winfrey)
"You never truly understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960) - This speaks to a fundamental understanding that makes one "wake" up to another's perspective.
"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open." (Frank Zappa) - This implies the need to "wake" up to new ideas.
"We are all just walking each other home." (Ram Dass) - This relates to the journey and the path left in one's wake for others.
"I wake up in the morning and I think: 'Ah, another day.' " (Lesser-known, but common relatable sentiment)
"Don't wake the sleeping dragon." (Common idiom, widely known)
"In the wake of the storm, new hope emerged." (Original quote, metaphorical use)
"And when I wake up, I'll be thinking of you." (Common romantic song lyric)
Etymology
The word "wake" has a very old and direct origin in the English language, with a double meaning that has evolved over time.
It comes from the Old English verb wacan (meaning "to become awake" or "to arise") and wacian (meaning "to be awake" or "to keep watch"). These two were often confused or used interchangeably.
These Old English verbs trace back to Proto-Germanic roots related to "being alert" or "being awake."
The first known use of "wake" in English, with the meaning of "to cease sleeping; to become conscious," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period).
The noun "wake" (as in the trail left by a boat) comes from a different Germanic root related to "wet" or "track," but it also entered English around the same early period, meaning "a track or trail on water."
The noun "wake" referring to a vigil for the dead also has Old English roots (wacu), related to "watching" or "keeping watch" over a body, which emerged before the 12th century.
So, "wake" has been in the language for over a thousand years, originally conveying the idea of becoming alert from sleep or keeping watch, as well as the literal trail left by something moving through water.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Wake
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "wake":
To wake up: To stop sleeping; to become aware.
To wake up and smell the coffee: To realize what is happening; to become aware of reality.
In the wake of (something): Following (something), especially as a consequence or result.
To wake a sleeping giant: To provoke a powerful but currently inactive entity.
To wake the dead: To make a very loud noise.
To wake up on the wrong side of the bed: To be in a bad mood all day.
Wake-up call: An event that causes one to become aware of a problem or danger.
To be wide awake: Fully conscious and alert. (Synonymous with being completely "awake").
To leave a trail: To leave evidence or a mark of one's passage. (Synonymous with leaving a "wake").
To bring to consciousness: To make someone aware or alert. (Synonymous with "to wake up").
To stir from slumber: To awaken from sleep. (Synonymous with "to wake").
To follow in one's wake: To follow the path or consequences of someone else's actions.
To make waves: To cause a disturbance or controversy. (Relates to the "wake" of a boat).
The aftermath of an event: The consequences or period following an event. (Synonymous with "in the wake of").
To rouse from sleep: To awaken someone. (Synonymous with "to wake").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of wake from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
