awakening

[ uh-wey-kuh-ning ]

adjective

1. rousing; quickening:

   an awakening interest in ballet.

noun

1. the act of awaking from sleep.
2. a revival of interest or attention.
3. a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something:

   a rude awakening to the disagreeable facts.

4. a renewal of interest in religion, especially in a community; a revival.

awakening

/ əˈweɪknɪŋ; əˈweɪkənɪŋ /

noun

1. the start of a feeling or awareness in a person

   a picture of an emotional awakening

Other Words From

• a·waken·ing·ly adverb
• rea·waken·ing noun
• una·waken·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of awakening¹

First recorded in 1585–95; awaken + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Though more of a comedy than a romance, this tender portrait of a teenager’s sexual awakening is equal parts sensitive, funny and sweet.

From Time

It was like a culinary awakening for me, all the fresh markets and the importance of ingredients.

From Ozy

Four years into climate awakening and action, Peter felt he had accomplished nearly zero.

From ProPublica

Still, as I look back on 2020, I see a year of great reflection, awakening, and resiliency.

From Fortune

The pandemic, its economic impacts, and the social and racial awakening that marked this year have driven corporate leaders to seek a more just form of capitalism.

From Fortune

On Monday night, a major moment in New York history will get a Royal awakening.

From The Daily Beast

It was a little bit like an awakening, and I just stuck with it.

From The Daily Beast

Her screams attracted attention, awakening one man who lived on the seventh floor of a nine-story building across the street.

From The Daily Beast

For some, it sped up a process of awakening that may have taken years.

From The Daily Beast

“There has been an awakening,” a British defense official told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

The Duke found no difficulty in awakening the wishes, which were necessary to his scheme, in the mind of young Lorraine.

From Project Gutenberg

In that sudden awakening had occurred the very psychological climax required to reveal the passionate emotion accumulated below.

From Project Gutenberg

The result was a new interest in Greek learning in all its branches, and a very rapid awakening of the scientific spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't doubt you will find more than one affinity if you are awakening; that is merely the mating instinct.

From Project Gutenberg

It was as if the spirit of life and the awakening spring had given back the soul to her youth and bade her rejoice.

From Project Gutenberg