sleepy

[ slee-pee ]

adjective

, sleep·i·er, sleep·i·est.

1. ready or inclined to sleep; drowsy.

   Synonyms: slumberous, somnolent, tired

2. of or showing drowsiness.
3. languid; languorous:

   a sleepy gesture.

4. lethargic; sluggish:

   a sleepy brook.

5. quiet:

   a sleepy village.

6. inducing sleep; soporific:

   sleepy warmth.

sleepy

/ ˈsliːpɪ /

adjective

1. inclined to or needing sleep; drowsy
2. characterized by or exhibiting drowsiness, sluggishness, etc
3. conducive to sleep; soporific
4. without activity or bustle

   a sleepy town

Derived Forms

• ˈsleepily, adverb
• ˈsleepiness, noun

Other Words From

• sleepi·ly adverb
• sleepi·ness noun
• un·sleepy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleepy¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; sleep, -y ¹

Example Sentences

When news a rare American songbird had been spotted in a sleepy West Yorkshire cul-de-sac eager ornithologists converged on the quiet street faster than a falcon in free fall.

From BBC

Last month, Bradley was sent home from school after complaining about feeling sleepy.

From BBC

After an expensive and acrimonious primary battle among Democrats, the general election race for the seat was sleepy, bordering on dull.

From Los Angeles Times

"The attorney general - usually a sleepy backwater of an office - was now home to a rising star."

From BBC

Still, there was something soothing about watching a sleepy town hall with a normal politician.

From Salon

Related Words

• drowsy
• lethargic
• listless
• quiet
• sluggish