somnolent

[som-nuh-luhnt]

adjective

1. sleepy; drowsy.

   Synonyms: slumberous

2. tending to cause sleep.

   Synonyms: soporific, somniferous

somnolent

/ ˈsɒmnələnt /

adjective

1. drowsy; sleepy

2. causing drowsiness

Other Word Forms

• somnolence noun
• somnolency noun
• somnolently adverb
• hypersomnolence noun
• hypersomnolent adjective
• hypersomnolently adverb
• semisomnolence noun
• semisomnolent adjective
• semisomnolently adverb
• unsomnolent adjective
• unsomnolently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of somnolent¹

1425–75; late Middle English sompnolent < Old French < Latin somnolentus, derivative of somnus sleep; -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of somnolent¹

C15: from Latin somnus sleep

Example Sentences

Ham turned a disjointed team into something tough and competitive and changed the entire somnolent Lakers culture.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid skepticism that he couldn’t coach at the higher level, Jackson tore the program down to the studs, brought in 86 new players, and blanketed the somnolent program with passion and positivity.

From Los Angeles Times

Overall, the recording slides between hypnotic and somnolent.

From New York Times

Set against the backdrop of a somnolent downtown, says Ms. Respress, the McPherson Square encampment feeds the impression that homelessness is exploding in D.C.

From Washington Post

Yet even with past experience as a guide, local officials still seem remarkably somnolent.

From Washington Post