ASLEEP

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does asleep mean? 

• ASLEEP (adjective)
  The adjective ASLEEP has 3 senses:

1. in a state of sleep

2. lacking sensation

3. dead

  Familiarity information: ASLEEP used as an adjective is uncommon.

• ASLEEP (adverb)
  The adverb ASLEEP has 2 senses:

1. into a sleeping state

2. in the sleep of death

  Familiarity information: ASLEEP used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ASLEEP (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a state of sleep

Context example:

fell asleep at the wheel

Similar:

at rest (in a state of repose or especially sleep)

dormant; hibernating; torpid (in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation)

dozy; drowsing; drowsy (half asleep)

fast asleep; sound asleep (sleeping deeply)

hypnoid (of or relating to a state of sleep or hypnosis)

sleepy; sleepy-eyed; sleepyheaded (ready to fall asleep)

slumberous; slumbery; slumbrous; somnolent (inclined to or marked by drowsiness)

unawakened (still asleep)

Also:

incognizant; unaware ((often followed by 'of') not aware)

unconscious (not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead)

Antonym:

awake (not in a state of sleep; completely conscious)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking sensation

Synonyms:

asleep; benumbed; numb

Context example:

numb with cold

Similar:

insensible (incapable of physical sensation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Dead

Synonyms:

asleep; at peace; at rest; deceased; departed; gone

Context example:

our dear departed friend

Similar:

dead (no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life)

Domain usage:

euphemism (an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh)

• ASLEEP (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Into a sleeping state

Context example:

he fell asleep

Pertainym:

asleep (in a state of sleep)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In the sleep of death

Pertainym:

asleep (dead)

 Context examples 

But on the forecastle-head we found three sailors asleep.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The fisherman was half asleep, but the thought frightened him so much that he started and fell out of bed.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

I went to bed as usual, taking care that the flowers were placed as Dr. Van Helsing directed, and soon fell asleep.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"My love, have you been asleep?" said his wife, laughing.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

So, as she sat in the door of her castle, she happened to look around and saw Dorothy lying asleep, with her friends all about her.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

He was not asleep, and his mind immediately connected the knock with a telegram, or letter, or perhaps one of the servants bringing back clean clothes from the laundry.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

When he came I was fast asleep, my clothes fallen off on one side, and my shirt above my waist.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

I found Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin form curled up in the recesses of his armchair.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

One night I am asleep at Dawson. He wake me up. He says, 'Get the dogs ready; we start.'

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

I remarked to her, however, before I fell asleep, that the cottage was now occupied, to which she returned no reply.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)