sleepy

adjective

ˈslē-pē 

sleepier; sleepiest

1

a

: ready to fall asleep

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of sleep

2

: sluggish as if from sleep : lethargic

also : having little activity

a sleepy coastal village

3

: sleep-inducing

sleepily

ˈslē-pə-lē 

adverb

sleepiness

ˈslē-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• dozy
• drowsy
• slumberous
• slumbrous
• somnolent

Examples of sleepy in a Sentence

She felt sleepy and went to bed.

the sleepy children were carried up to bed

Recent Examples on the Web

January is typically the sleepiest month on the MLB calendar, and the New York Yankees likely won’t disturb slumber much. —Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

When the sun goes down, the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is not a sleepy town. —Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2025

In the past few years, experts say, the trade in illicit drugs has become more noticeable in France’s small and medium-size cities, bringing a measure of insecurity to places that had once felt sleepy and safe. —Richard Fausset, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

By William Leigh published 10 December 2024 Nestled about an hour east of Crete's Heraklion airport lies the sleepy town of Elounda. —William Leigh, theweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sleepy

adjective

ˈslē-pē 

sleepier; sleepiest

1

: ready to fall asleep

2

: quietly inactive

a sleepy village

sleepily

-pə-lē 

adverb

sleepiness

-pē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

sleepy

adjective

ˈslē-pē 

sleepier; sleepiest

: ready to fall asleep

sleepiness

-pē-nəs 

noun