awaken

a-wak-en · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To stop sleeping; to wake up.

  2. 2.

    To cause someone to stop sleeping.

  3. 3.

    To cause someone to become aware of or interested in something; to stir feelings or memories.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    rude awakening — An unpleasant realization or discovery.
  • •
    awaken to — To become aware of something.

Related words

Antonyms: lull, put to sleep
See also: awake, awakened, awakening, wake
Synonyms: arouse, rouse, stir, wake

Etymology

From Old English awæcnan ("to arise"), from a- (intensive prefix) + wæcnan ("to wake").