insomnia

American  

[in-som-nee-uh] / ɪnˈsɒm ni ə /

noun

1. inability to obtain sufficient sleep, especially when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep; sleeplessness.

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insomnia British  

/ ɪnˈsɒmnɪə /

noun

1. chronic inability to fall asleep or to enjoy uninterrupted sleep

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insomnia Scientific  

/ ĭn-sŏm′nē-ə /

1. Chronic inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time.

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insomnia Cultural  

1. A persistent and prolonged inability to sleep.

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Usage

What does insomnia mean? Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for an adequate amount of time.Insomnia is often used casually to refer to occasional sleeplessness or a single instance of it. But in medical terms, insomnia typically refers to a condition involving a chronic inability to fall or stay asleep, meaning the inability is persistent and prolonged—it happens all the time.A person who experiences insomnia can be called an insomniac.Example: My insomnia gets worse when I’m under a lot of stress.

Other Word Forms

• insomnious adjective

Etymology

Origin of insomnia

First recorded in 1685–95; from Latin, equivalent to insomn(is) “sleepless” ( in- in- ³ + somn(us) “sleep” + -is, adjective suffix) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

She is also calling for more support in the workplace, highlighting how brain fog, anxiety and insomnia are the top three symptoms which affect women at work.

From BBC

Feeling scared and suffering with insomnia, Fearon retired from all sport.

From BBC

Post-menopausal women were more likely to report insomnia, reduced sleep, and ongoing tiredness.

From Science Daily

“Comfort” is one of 2020’s defining terms, along with “horror,” “unprecedented,” “anxiety,” “insomnia” and a barge’s worth of negative words that speak to the tire yard fire that is the preceding 12 months.

From Salon

But her career was hampered by illness and injuries, particularly back trouble, and she has suffered insomnia.

From Barron's

Related Words

• restlessness