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

Even if the museum had red eyes on tap it wouldn’t have made a difference when it comes to this soporific presentation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Shimizu is an exploratory jazz musician who has of late gained popularity for his television scores and inoffensively ambient music that employs soporific electronics.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

The change has been introduced after a soporific race in 2024 that followed years of growing concerns about the tendency towards uneventful grands prix on the historic streets on the Cote d'Azur.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

It’s so effective a soporific that most nights I struggle to read for more than 10 minutes, which is both satisfying and maddening.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2024

When I pour it on my hair, I feel a sticky cold like dry ice, then a soporific heat.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García