asleep

UK: /əˈsliːp/ US: /əˈslip/ ,(ə slēp′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•sleep /əˈslip/   adv. 

1. in or into a state of sleep:
   The baby was lying fast asleep in the crib.

adj. [be + ~]

2. sleeping:
   He is asleep.
3. dormant;
   inactive:
   The volcano has been asleep for years.
4. numb:
   My foot is asleep.
5. inattentive;
   not paying attention:
   He was asleep on the job.

Idioms

6. fall asleep:
   • go into a state of sleep.
   • (of a part of the body) become numb:
     My foot fell asleep after a few hours of sitting still.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•sleep  (ə slēp′), adv. 

1. in or into a state of sleep:
   He fell asleep quickly.
2. into a dormant or inactive state;
   to rest:
   Their anxieties were put asleep.
3. into the state of death.

adj. 

4. sleeping:
   He is asleep.
5. dormant;
   inactive.
6. (of the foot, hand, leg, etc.) numb.
7. dead.

• bef. 1000; Middle English o slæpe, aslepe, Old English on slǣpe; see a-¹, sleep

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

asleep / əˈsliːp/ adjective (postpositive)

1. in or into a state of sleep
2. in or into a dormant or inactive state
3. (of limbs, esp when the blood supply to them has been restricted) numb; lacking sensation
4. dead