What are the definitions of “wake up”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

1Stop sleeping.
I WOKE UP at half past six this morning.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wake up”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wake up is to stop sleeping and become conscious or alert. It is used to describe the action of waking up from sleep or waking someone else up.

What are the different verb forms of “wake up”?

Root Verb	wake up
Third Person Singular Present	wakes up
Present Participle	waking up
Simple Past	woke up
Past Participle	woken up

Example

I wake up early every day.

Example

She wakes up at 7 am every morning.

Example

He is waking up slowly after a long night.

Example

Yesterday, I woke up late and missed my bus.

Example

She had woken up before the alarm went off.

What kind of phrasal verb is “wake up”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Intransitive verb

“wake up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.

Example

I woke up early today.

Example

He wakes up at 6 am every day.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“wake up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

I woke up early today.

Example

He wakes up at 6 am every day.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wake up”?

Wake up call

A phone call or other signal to wake someone up, often used metaphorically to describe a situation that forces someone to face reality or recognize a problem.

Example

Losing his job was a wake-up call for him to start taking his career more seriously.

Wake up and smell the coffee

A phrase used to tell someone to be more aware of what is happening around them or to face reality.

Example

You need to wake up and smell the coffee; this situation is not going to improve on its own.

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed

To be in a bad mood or feel irritable from the moment you wake up.

Example

He must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed today; he's been grumpy all morning.

Good things to know

Does “wake up” have an informal or formal tone?

Wake up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “wake up”?

Synonyms

arise
rise
awaken
stir
rouse
get up
come to

Antonyms

sleep
fall asleep
go to sleep
doze off
nod off
drift off