# rouse

/ˈɹaʊs/ (US) · /ɹˈaʊz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rouse
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to wake someone

verb · CEFR B2

to wake someone up from a deep sleep.

For teachers: to awaken someone from sleep, typically through a deliberate action.

- The loud ringing of the telephone finally managed to rouse him from his sleep.
- The nurse attempted to rouse the patient after the procedure, but the sedative was still taking full effect.

### 2. to stir to action

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make someone feel excited or angry enough to start doing something.

For teachers: to excite or provoke a person or group into a state of activity, interest, or anger.

- The leader's powerful speech was designed to rouse the crowd to action.
- The editorial was intended to rouse the public from their apathy regarding the upcoming local elections.

### 3. to criticize

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Dialect

to tell someone off or criticize them for doing something wrong.

For teachers: to reprimand or criticize someone severely.

- The boss is going to rouse on us if we don't finish this report by five.
- He knew his father would rouse on him for returning the car with an empty petrol tank.

Usage: Commonly used in Australian and New Zealand English, often followed by 'on'.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly regional; outside of Australia and New Zealand, it may not be understood.

### 4. military signal

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

a bugle call played in the morning to tell soldiers to get out of bed.

For teachers: a bugle call sounded after reveille to signal that soldiers are to rise from their beds.

- The soldiers stood at attention as the rouse echoed through the barracks.
- In many Commonwealth traditions, the rouse is played during Remembrance Day services to symbolize the resurrection of the fallen.

## Examples

- The loud alarm clock failed to rouse him from his sleep.
- The captain's speech was designed to rouse the tired soldiers before the final march.
- It took several minutes for the medics to rouse the unconscious driver, who had been stunned by the force of the collision but fortunately suffered no permanent injuries.

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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.