woke

aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues especially issues of racial and social justice

The first known use: circa 1948

Word Structure

4 Letters, 1 Syllable

woke

3 Phonemes

w O k

onset, rime

w oke

Morpheme

woke

Common Phrases

(one) woke up on the right side of the grass

One is still living (as opposed to dead and buried). Often said to indicate that one's life is tolerable or positive overall, despite difficulties.

be woke

To be aware of the need for and committed to supporting social justice. This usage of the term (particularly in reference to activism against black oppression) is thought to have originated in the mid-20th century US.

stay woke

To be aware of the need for and committment to social justice. This usage of the term "woke" (particularly in reference to activism against black oppression) is thought to have originated in the mid-20th century US. Primarily heard in US.

wake (up) to (something)

Literally, to be roused from sleep due to some stimulus, especially noise.

wake the dead

To be extremely noisy and disruptive.

wake up

To awaken from sleep.

wake up and smell the coffee

Pay attention to what is happening.

wake up and smell the roses

To start paying attention to what is happening around you. Likely a combination of "wake up and smell the coffee" and "stop and smell the roses."

wake up feeling human

To wake up feeling well-rested and healthy.

wake up on the wrong side of (the) bed

To be in a particularly and persistently irritable, unhappy, or grouchy mood or state, especially when it is not in line with one's normal disposition.

wake up to (something)

To become suddenly and acutely alert to or aware of something, especially something that needs to be recognized as a problem.

woke

Aware of the need for and committed to social justice. This usage of the term (particularly in reference to activism against black oppression) is thought to have originated in the mid-20th century US. Often used in the phrase "stay woke." Primarily heard in US.

Related Words

Sound the same but are spelled differently.

Collocations

The habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with another word or words with a frequency greater than chance.

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