sleepless

American  

[sleep-lis] / ˈslip lɪs /

adjective

1. without sleep.

   a sleepless night.

2. watchful; alert.

   sleepless devotion to duty.

3. always active.

   the sleepless ocean.

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sleepless British  

/ ˈsliːplɪs /

adjective

1. without sleep or rest

   a sleepless journey

2. unable to sleep

3. always watchful or alert

4. poetic always active or moving

   the sleepless tides

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Other Word Forms

• sleeplessly adverb
• sleeplessness noun

Etymology

Origin of sleepless

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; sleep, -less

Example Sentences

But, at the same time, they’re looking at enough of a payoff to risk a few sleepless nights.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It was a sleepless night to defuse more bombs in the region... the communication is still underway to consolidate the gained trust and the current good spirit."

From Barron's

Sitting in her armchair, Angela glances up towards her son's photographs and says: "He's certainly given me a few sleepless nights, I can tell you. It's a wonder I'm not white!"

From BBC

This work requires stealth and sleepless nights to stalk poachers in the dark.

From BBC

Mia admits that, for the first time, the enormity of the detailing has caused sleepless nights.

From BBC

Related Words

• fidgety