noun
Uncommon
awakening
uh-WAY-kuh-nihng
Awakening (noun) means the act or moment of waking up, or of suddenly becoming aware of something. Example: “Her diagnosis was a rude awakening about how little rest she'd been getting.”
noun
1
The act or moment of waking up, or of suddenly becoming aware of something.
"Her diagnosis was a rude awakening about how little rest she'd been getting."
"The whole town experienced a religious awakening that summer."
"The awakening came slowly as sunlight crept across the bedroom floor."
How to use awakening
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe moment something suddenly becomes clear or you "wake up" to a new reality.
Common pairings
a rude awakening
spiritual awakening
a moment of awakening
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Word forms
- Plural
- awakenings
- Comparative
- more awakening
- Superlative
- most awakening
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her diagnosis was a rude _____ about how little rest she'd been getting.
Etymology
From awaken + -ing.
Related words
Rhymes for awakening
evening
opening
widening
happening
weakening
deafening
maddening
listening
gardening
sickening
fattening
screening
See all rhymes for awakening →
Frequently asked questions
What does “awakening” mean?
The word “awakening” means the act or moment of waking up, or of suddenly becoming aware of something. In plain terms, the moment something suddenly becomes clear or you "wake up" to a new reality.
How do you pronounce “awakening”?
“Awakening” is pronounced uh-WAY-kuh-nihng (/əˈweɪ̯kənɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “awakening” in a sentence?
Here is “awakening” used in a sentence: “Her diagnosis was a rude awakening about how little rest she'd been getting.”
What part of speech is “awakening”?
“Awakening” is a noun.
Is “awakening” a common word?
“Awakening” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between an awakening and simply waking up?
Waking up usually refers to the ordinary physical act of coming out of sleep, while an awakening often carries a broader sense, such as suddenly becoming aware of something important, whether that is a literal waking moment or a figurative realization.
How is awakening used in a figurative sense?
Figuratively, an awakening describes the moment someone suddenly becomes aware of a truth, feeling, or situation they had not previously recognized, such as a political awakening or a spiritual awakening.
Is awakening a formal or everyday word?
Awakening is used in both everyday and more reflective or literary contexts, ranging from a simple description of waking up to a more meaningful description of newfound awareness.
