wake

/weik/

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Explanation of the Word "Wake"

The word "wake" can be both a noun and a verb, and it has several meanings. Here’s an easy-to-understand breakdown:

Summary:

"Wake" can refer to a gathering to honor someone who has died, the waves a boat creates, or the results following an event. As a verb, it can mean to stop someone from sleeping, to make someone aware of something, or to stir up emotions.

Academic

Noun

1. a vigil held over a corpse the night before burial
   • there's no weeping at an Irish wake
2. the wave that spreads behind a boat as it moves forward
   • the motorboat's wake capsized the canoe
3. an island in the western Pacific between Guam and Hawaii
4. the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
   • the aftermath of war
   • in the wake of the accident no one knew how many had been injured

Verb

1. cause to become awake or conscious
   • He was roused by the drunken men in the street
   • Please wake me at 6 AM.
2. make aware of
   • His words woke us to terrible facts of the situation
3. arouse or excite feelings and passions
   • The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor
   • The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world
   • Wake old feelings of hatred
4. stop sleeping
   • She woke up to the sound of the alarm clock
5. be awake, be alert, be there

Synonyms

• viewing
• backwash
• Wake Island
• Wake
• aftermath
• awaken
• waken
• rouse
• wake up
• arouse
• inflame
• stir up
• ignite
• heat
• fire up
• awake
• come alive