Words / A2

uh-WAYK/əˈweɪk/

Awake means not sleeping: stay awake, wide awake, still awake. Asleep is the opposite. Wake up is the verb for starting to be awake. Await means wait for — mix-up. Do not write awake when you mean await, or a wake (two words).

Meaning

Not sleeping.

Examples

• “I was still awake when the plane landed at midnight.”
• “I was still awake when the night train crossed the border.”
• “Drink water and walk if you must stay awake on the coach.”

Good to know

stay awake / wide awake. Opposite: asleep. Verb: wake up. Mix-up: await.

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