# awoken

/ɐwˈəʊkən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awoken
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

the past participle of 'awake'. It means you have stopped sleeping and are now conscious. You use it to describe someone who has just opened their eyes.

For teachers: the past participle of 'awake', meaning to cease sleeping and become conscious. Often used in the passive voice to describe a state of being roused from sleep.

## Examples

- The loud noise finally awoken the sleeping children.
- The sudden alarm clock had awoken the entire household before the sun even began to rise.
- The gentle sound of the ocean waves eventually awoken the hikers, who had fallen asleep in their tents after a long day of climbing.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.