sleep
SLEEP
Sleep (verb) means to rest in the natural state of reduced consciousness that the body needs each day. Example: “I can never sleep properly when there is a storm outside.”
verb
1
To rest in the natural state of reduced consciousness that the body needs each day.
"I can never sleep properly when there is a storm outside."
"She went to bed early and slept for nine hours straight."
"The baby finally slept through the night."
2
(informal) To have sexual intercourse with someone.
"They had been sleeping together for months before anyone found out."
3
To be inattentive, careless, or unprepared for something.
"The company slept while its competitors raced ahead with new technology."
"Don't sleep on this chance, because the offer ends on Friday."
"The team slept through the warning signs and lost their best customers."
noun
1
The state of rest the body enters each night, marked by reduced awareness of the surroundings.
"A good night's sleep helps you concentrate at work the next day."
"The puppy fell into a deep sleep on the sofa."
"He looked like he badly needed some sleep after the all-nighter."
How to use sleep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe natural, restful state your body and mind enter to recover — as a verb, doing that; as a noun, the state itself.
Common mistake
"Sleep with someone" is a common euphemism for having sex, which can trip up learners expecting only the literal meaning.
Common pairings
get some sleep
go to sleep
sleep deprivation
fall asleep
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Word forms
- Plural
- sleeps
- Third person singular
- sleeps
- Past tense
- slept
- Archaic forms
- sleepest, sleptst, sleptest, sleepeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I can never _____ properly when there is a storm outside.
Etymology
From Old English slǣpan, a very old Germanic verb with cousins in Dutch (slapen) and German (schlafen) that all mean "to sleep."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sleep
See all rhymes for sleep →Frequently asked questions
What does “sleep” mean?
The word “sleep” means to rest in the natural state of reduced consciousness that the body needs each day. In plain terms, the natural, restful state your body and mind enter to recover — as a verb, doing that; as a noun, the state itself.
How do you pronounce “sleep”?
“Sleep” is pronounced SLEEP (/ˈsliːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “sleep” in a sentence?
Here is “sleep” used in a sentence: “They had been sleeping together for months before anyone found out.”
What is another word for “sleep”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sleep” include crash, doze, repose, rest, saw logs and catch some z's.
What part of speech is “sleep”?
Depending on how it is used, “sleep” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sleep” come from?
The word “sleep” comes from Old English. From Old English slǣpan, a very old Germanic verb with cousins in Dutch (slapen) and German (schlafen) that all mean "to sleep.".
Is “sleep” a common word?
“Sleep” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sleep” have?
“Sleep” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rest in the natural state of reduced consciousness that the body needs each day.
What is the difference between sleep and rest?
Rest is any period of relaxation or reduced activity, and you can rest while fully awake. Sleep is the specific natural state of reduced consciousness the body enters, usually at night. All sleep is a form of rest, but not all rest is sleep, since sitting quietly counts as rest, not sleep.
How much sleep do people need?
It varies with age. Most adults need roughly seven to nine hours a night, while children and teenagers need considerably more. The right amount also differs from person to person. Consistently getting far less than you need tends to affect mood, concentration, and health over time.
What is the difference between sleeping and napping?
A nap is simply a short sleep, usually taken during the day rather than at night. Sleeping normally refers to the main, longer period of rest the body needs each day. So napping is a kind of sleeping, a brief and often deliberate top-up rather than a full night's rest.
Why is sleep important?
Sleep lets the body and brain recover. During it, the body repairs tissue and conserves energy, while the brain processes the day's experiences and consolidates memory. Regular, adequate sleep supports concentration, mood, immunity, and overall health, which is why the body demands it every single day.
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