waken
Americanverb (used with object)
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to rouse from sleep; wake; awake; awaken.
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to rouse from inactivity; stir up or excite; arouse; awaken.
to waken the reader's interest.
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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wakensimple
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wakenssimple
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have wakenedperfect
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has wakenedperfect
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am wakeningprogressive
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are wakeningprogressive
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is wakeningprogressive
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have been wakeningperfect progressive
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has been wakeningperfect progressive
Past
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wakenedsimple
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had wakenedperfect
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was wakeningprogressive
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were wakeningprogressive
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had been wakeningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of waken
before 900; Middle English waknen, Old English wæcnan; cognate with Old Norse vakna; akin to wake 1; see -en 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Enough noise to waken the dead, but not this lot, I thought.
From Salon • Sep. 1, 2025
If, for example, they don’t waken spontaneously in the morning, have tantrums, can’t focus in school or are sleepy in the afternoons, they might not be getting enough sleep.
From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2022
According to the officers’ lawsuit, police spent 40 minutes trying to waken the couple, including using their sirens.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2022
And even if that cry doesn't waken slumbering spirits, at least it might trouble their sleep!
From The Guardian • May 22, 2013
“Oh, it was late—late. Must have been near eleven. I didn’t look, fearing to waken you.”
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
