What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deathwatch
Example
The family kept a deathwatch by their loved one's bedside. [deathwatch: noun]
Example
The doctors knew that the patient was in the final stages of their illness and that the deathwatch had begun. [deathwatch: noun]
wake
Example
The wake will be held at the funeral home on Friday evening. [wake: noun]
Example
The family was in mourning during the wake. [wake: noun]
Example
I usually wake up at 6 am every morning. [wake: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wake is more commonly used than deathwatch in everyday language. Wake has multiple meanings and can refer to both the period after a person's death and the state of being awake after sleeping.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between deathwatch and wake?
Both deathwatch and wake are associated with formal and solemn occasions, such as funerals and end-of-life care. However, wake is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
