somnolent

American  

[som-nuh-luhnt] / ˈsɒm nə lənt /

adjective

1. sleepy; drowsy.

   Synonyms:

   slumberous

2. tending to cause sleep.

   Synonyms:

   soporific, somniferous

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somnolent British  

/ ˈsɒmnələnt /

adjective

1. drowsy; sleepy

2. causing drowsiness

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of somnolent

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

Compare meaning

How does somnolent compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• somnolent vs. lethargic

Example Sentences

Exoprojection in which the somnolent user is able to assume a conscious awareness of an ideal reality from the past.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

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

From Washington Post • Jan. 11, 2023

But it also brought youth, diversity and better wages — breathing new life into somnolent towns that had been losing population since the 1930s.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2021

And he played with a kind of brilliant camouflage, seeming to be somnolent for long stretches before asserting himself at urgent moments with a mesmerizing dribble, astounding pass or stabbing shot.

From New York Times • Nov. 25, 2020

There are three Smart Aids in Englewood, the small, somnolent beach town where I live.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs