sleepy

[ slee-pee ]

/ ˈsli pi /

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See synonyms for: sleepy / sleepily / sleepiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, sleep·i·er, sleep·i·est.

ready or inclined to sleep; drowsy.

of or showing drowsiness.

languid; languorous: a sleepy gesture.

lethargic; sluggish: a sleepy brook.

quiet: a sleepy village.

inducing sleep; soporific: sleepy warmth.

OTHER WORDS FOR sleepy

1 tired, somnolent, slumberous.

See synonyms for sleepy on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sleepy

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at sleep, -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM sleepy

sleep·i·ly, adverbsleep·i·ness, nounun·sleep·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sleepy in a sentence

If you’re often napping or feeling sleepy during the day, try to extend your sleep at night.
Nap time is the new coffee break. Here’s how to make the most of it.|Galadriel Watson|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
The sometimes-sleepy Transportation Department has responsibility for keeping the nation’s roads and skies safe, as well as funding highways and transit systems.
Senate committee approves Pete Buttigieg’s nomination as transportation secretary|Ian Duncan|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
It is the smell of a communal meal, of care and love that goes into thinking ahead and dry-brining a chicken, and of showing someone you’re willing to put in a little effort on a sleepy Sunday.
Aromatic roasted chicken with homemade adobo is an updated take on a classic meal|Christian Vazquez|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
When I woke up for good in the morning, I realized that climbing down in a sleepy state is not as easy as climbing up.
Aboard Amtrak’s Crescent, surprising comfort and welcome seclusion on a slow train to Mississippi|Scott Butterworth|January 1, 2021|Washington Post

We’ll get back to you once we return from Praslin, one of the sleepier islands in the Seychelles archipelago.
Your Guide for When Travel Returns|Daniel Malloy|December 27, 2020|Ozy
"Here's his nest," said Jess sleepily, taking her head out of the deep round hole she had made.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
Mr. Castle coughed, and Scattergood opened his eyes sleepily and peered over the rolls of fat that were his cheeks.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
Dan glanced quickly at Gatti who had his elbow on the table and seemed to be sleepily leaning far over to one side of his chair.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
I wish you hadn't awakened me: I can't remember what was dreams and what wasn't,' she went on sleepily.
Robin Redbreast|Mary Louisa Molesworth
I looked sleepily round and was surprised and alarmed to see a very unmistakable glow in the sky through the trees.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey

British Dictionary definitions for sleepy

sleepy

/ (ˈsliːpɪ) /

adjective sleepier or sleepiest

inclined to or needing sleep; drowsy

characterized by or exhibiting drowsiness, sluggishness, etc

conducive to sleep; soporific

without activity or bustlea sleepy town

Derived forms of sleepy

sleepily, adverbsleepiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sleepy

OTHER WORDS FOR sleepy

Origin of sleepy

OTHER WORDS FROM sleepy

Words related to sleepy

How to use sleepy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sleepy

Derived forms of sleepy