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Definition of waking

waking

/ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
wak · ing
Plural:wakings
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waking Lexical Profile

waking Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Awake and conscious; occurring or experienced while not asleep.

Example

"She spent almost every waking moment preparing for the medical board examination."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for waking
Antonyms
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• noun

1

The act of ceasing to sleep, or the state of being awake and conscious.

Example

"In the first few seconds between sleeping and waking, he could not remember which city he was in."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for waking
Antonyms
View all antonyms for waking

Word Nuance & Usage

As an adjective, 'waking' is used only attributively before a noun (as in 'waking hours' or 'a waking dream'), whereas 'awake' is used predicatively after a linking verb (as in 'she is awake').

• Rhymes for waking

• Nearby Words

waken
waker
wakerobin
waking
waldo
waldsteinia
wales

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English wacung, a verbal noun formed from wacian ('to be or remain awake, keep watch'), of Proto-Germanic origin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Waking. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/waking
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