abed
Abed (adv) means in or on a bed; confined to bed. Example: “He lay abed all morning, nursing a fever.”
How to Use Abed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned way of saying "in bed."
Archaic/literary — you'll meet it in older novels and poetry, not in everyday speech.
Word Forms
Abeds plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He lay _____ all morning, nursing a fever.
Etymology
From Old English on bedde, "on bed" — the a- prefix here just means "in" or "on," the same pattern seen in "asleep" and "afloat."
Rhymes for abed
See all rhymes for abed →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “abed” mean?
The word “abed” means in or on a bed; confined to bed. In plain terms, an old-fashioned way of saying "in bed.".
How do you pronounce “abed”?
“Abed” is pronounced uh-BEHD (/əˈbɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “abed” in a sentence?
Here is “abed” used in a sentence: “He lay abed all morning, nursing a fever.”
What part of speech is “abed”?
“Abed” is an adverb.
Where does the word “abed” come from?
The word “abed” comes from Old English. From Old English on bedde, "on bed" — the a- prefix here just means "in" or "on," the same pattern seen in "asleep" and "afloat.".
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