drowsy

[ drou-zee ]

adjective

, drow·si·er, drow·si·est.

1. half-asleep; sleepy.

   Synonyms: dozy, somnolent

2. marked by or resulting from sleepiness.
3. dull; sluggish.

   Synonyms: listless, lethargic

4. inducing lethargy or sleepiness:

   drowsy spring weather.

drowsy

/ ˈdraʊzɪ /

adjective

1. heavy with sleepiness; sleepy
2. inducing sleep; soporific
3. sluggish or lethargic; dull

Derived Forms

• ˈdrowsily, adverb
• ˈdrowsiness, noun

Other Words From

• drowsi·ly adverb
• drowsi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of drowsy¹

First recorded in 1520–30; drowse + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Awakened from a nap, he appeared drowsy at first, but brightened up considerably when Dearie placed a few pieces of boiled sweet potato within reach.

From Washington Post

Sleep and sleep quality is clearly important to Fitbit—you can also set an alarm to wake you when you’re in a lighter sleep stage so you feel less drowsy.

From Popular-Science

I know driving makes me drowsy, even when I’ve gotten enough sleep, so now I prioritize pulling over to take a nap, even if that means my drive takes twice as long.

From Outside Online

Perhaps a car that blinks a little light when it thinks that you’re drowsy based on how your face looks might not be that harmful.

From MIT Technology Review

She and Shemar often stay up late watching TV, and when Shemar made it to school he was often drowsy in class.

From ProPublica

Casablancas speaks in a drowsy mumble and occasionally needs prodding, but once you do, becomes surprisingly engaged.

From The Daily Beast

There was a busy, bustling, disputatious tone about it, instead of the accustomed phlegm and drowsy tranquillity.

From The Daily Beast

Barely 20 years ago, Brazil was a drowsy, underperfoming Third World nation, plagued by hyperinflation and boom-and-bust growth.

From The Daily Beast

He was too drowsy to hold the thought more than a moment in his mind, much less to reflect upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

He soon experienced an unwonted sense of fatigue, then a drowsy sensation came over him.

From Project Gutenberg

Ay, murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former drowsy state, what about her?what aboutI know!

From Project Gutenberg

Dorothy began to feel drowsy, directly she had nothing left to engage her attention.

From Project Gutenberg

Fanchon's grandmother stirs up the drowsy fire; then she breaks the eggs on the black earthenware platter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dazed
• lethargic