soporific

American  

[sop-uh-rif-ik, soh-puh-] / ˌsɒp əˈrɪf ɪk, ˌsoʊ pə- /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause sleep.

2. pertaining to or characterized by sleep or sleepiness; sleepy; drowsy.

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noun

1. something that causes sleep, as a medicine or drug.

soporific British  

/ ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. inducing sleep

2. drowsy; sleepy

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noun

1. a drug or other agent that induces sleep

Other Word Forms

• antisoporific adjective
• nonsoporific adjective
• soporifically adverb
• unsoporific adjective

Etymology

Origin of soporific

1655–65; < Latin sopor sopor + -i- + -fic; compare French soporifique

Explanation

Something that is soporific is sleep-inducing. Certain medicines, but also extreme coziness, can have a soporific effect. In the 1680’s, soporific, which doubles as both adjective and noun, was formed from the French soporifique. That word, in turn, came from the Latin sopor “deep sleep.” Beloved Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter once noted that, “It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is 'soporific'."

Example Sentences

So what would a survivor of a crime portrayed on “Forensic Files” think about his or her own personal tragedy being used as a soporific?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

For all that the occasional grand prix can be soporific, and for all many drivers expect this one to be, a race can go awry in many more ways than it can go well.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

Musty retreads of Ibsen and Chekhov, besides being counter to the maverick spirit of their play, can be soporific endurance tests.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

The smell of incense — a combination of frankincense and myrrh — leached from every corner of the space, creating a somewhat soporific effect.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2024

Eerily, the taped music comes on over the intercom, saccharine, soporific.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood