sleepless
SLEEP-luhs
Sleepless (adj) means Unable to sleep, or marked by an absence of sleep. Example: “She spent a sleepless night worrying about the interview.”
adj
1
Unable to sleep, or marked by an absence of sleep.
"I spent a sleepless night worrying about the exams."
"She spent a sleepless night worrying about the interview."
"After three sleepless nights, he finally saw a doctor about the pain."
How to use sleepless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout sleep — describing a night, or a person who can't sleep.
Common pairings
sleepless night
sleepless nights
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sleepless
- Superlative
- most sleepless
Fill the gap
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She spent a _____ night worrying about the interview.
Etymology
From Old English slǣplēas, literally "sleep" plus "-less" ("without").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sleepless” mean?
The word “sleepless” means unable to sleep, or marked by an absence of sleep. In plain terms, without sleep — describing a night, or a person who can't sleep.
How do you pronounce “sleepless”?
“Sleepless” is pronounced SLEEP-luhs (/ˈsliːpləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “sleepless” in a sentence?
Here is “sleepless” used in a sentence: “She spent a sleepless night worrying about the interview.”
What is the opposite of “sleepless”?
The opposite of “sleepless” — its antonyms — is wakeless.
What part of speech is “sleepless”?
“Sleepless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sleepless” come from?
The word “sleepless” comes from Old English. From Old English slǣplēas, literally "sleep" plus "-less" ("without").
Is “sleepless” a common word?
“Sleepless” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
