Feeling alert, aware, and newly conscious of important truths or possibilities. Having a heightened sense of clarity and understanding about oneself or life.
From Old English awæcnan meaning 'to wake up' or 'arise,' combining 'a-' (intensive prefix) with 'wake.' The metaphorical meaning of spiritual or intellectual awakening developed alongside the literal, as humans recognized parallels between physical and mental emergence from dormancy.
Try Another Word