somnolent

[ som-nuh-luhnt ]

adjective

1. sleepy; drowsy.

   Synonyms: slumberous

2. tending to cause sleep.

   Synonyms: soporific, somniferous

somnolent

/ ˈsɒmnələnt /

adjective

1. drowsy; sleepy
2. causing drowsiness

Derived Forms

• ˈsomnolently, adverb
• ˈsomnolence, noun

Other Words From

• somno·lence somno·len·cy noun
• somno·lent·ly adverb
• hyper·somno·lence noun
• hyper·somno·lent adjective
• hyper·somno·lent·ly adverb
• semi·somno·lence noun
• semi·somno·lent adjective
• semi·somno·lent·ly adverb
• un·somno·lent adjective
• un·somno·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of somnolent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of somnolent¹

C15: from Latin somnus sleep

Example Sentences

Swinton avoids wheat because of its somnolent effects on her: “I was sort of falling asleep for the filming,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

Another personality looked out from the deep-set, somnolent, gray eyes; a personality resolute, forceful and quietly alert.

From Project Gutenberg

With the coming of midwinter a somnolent period seemed also to occur in Hollister's affairs.

From Project Gutenberg

As though somnolent, they did not stir unless excited by my teasing them with a bit of straw.

From Project Gutenberg

Down from the castle walls slopes the town, its happy, unprogressive people as somnolent as of yore.

From Project Gutenberg

Clym stepped before her into the passage, and Eustacia waited, her somnolent manner covering her inner heat and agitation.

From Project Gutenberg