drowsy

American  

[drou-zee] / ˈdraʊ zi /

adjective

drowsier, drowsiest

1. half-asleep; sleepy.

   Synonyms:

   dozy, somnolent

2. marked by or resulting from sleepiness.

3. dull; sluggish.

   Synonyms:

   listless, lethargic

4. inducing lethargy or sleepiness.

   drowsy spring weather.

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drowsy British  

/ ˈdraʊzɪ /

adjective

1. heavy with sleepiness; sleepy

2. inducing sleep; soporific

3. sluggish or lethargic; dull

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Other Word Forms

• drowsily adverb
• drowsiness noun

Etymology

Origin of drowsy

First recorded in 1520–30; drowse + -y ¹

Example Sentences

When you eat too much, it can make you drowsy and cause severe stomach upsets, she says.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

As we emerge from the drowsy holidays with aspirations of being fitter and more productive, one social-media trend jumps out: How about waking up everyday at 5 a.m.?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Legislation could help to penalize drowsy driving—the only form of legal impaired driving—though enforcement would be difficult.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2025

She values the importance of kindergarten learning, she said, but even without a fever, if her child is drowsy or coughing, he “won’t be paying attention anyway.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025

The breeze carries the shouts of children and the drowsy hum of bumblebees.

From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

• dazed
• lethargic