sleepy
SLEE-pee
Sleepy (adj) means Tired and wanting to sleep. Example: “The baby got sleepy right after dinner.”
adj
1
Tired and wanting to sleep.
"The baby got sleepy right after dinner."
"I always feel sleepy after a big lunch."
"The long train journey left the children sleepy and quiet."
2
Quiet and lacking activity, like a small town with little going on.
"They retired to a sleepy village on the coast."
"On Sundays the sleepy high street has hardly a car in sight."
"He grew up in a sleepy market town where nothing much happened."
How to use sleepy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling drowsy, or (of a place) quiet and uneventful.
Common pairings
sleepy town
feel sleepy
sleepy eyes
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Word forms
- Plural
- sleepies
- Comparative
- sleepier
- Superlative
- sleepiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The baby got _____ right after dinner.
Etymology
From Old English *slǣpiġ, built from "sleep" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonsleepy
unsleepy
Related words
Rhymes for sleepy
See all rhymes for sleepy →Frequently asked questions
What does “sleepy” mean?
The word “sleepy” means tired and wanting to sleep. In plain terms, feeling drowsy, or (of a place) quiet and uneventful.
How do you pronounce “sleepy”?
“Sleepy” is pronounced SLEE-pee (/ˈsliːpi/ in IPA).
How do you use “sleepy” in a sentence?
Here is “sleepy” used in a sentence: “The baby got sleepy right after dinner.”
What is another word for “sleepy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sleepy” include adrowse, bedroomy, dozy, dopey, dragging one's tail and drowsy.
What is the opposite of “sleepy”?
The opposite of “sleepy” — its antonyms — are nonsleepy and unsleepy.
What part of speech is “sleepy”?
“Sleepy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sleepy” come from?
The word “sleepy” comes from Old English. From Old English *slǣpiġ, built from "sleep" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y.".
Is “sleepy” a common word?
“Sleepy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between sleepy and tired?
Sleepy specifically describes feeling tired and wanting to sleep, while tired more broadly covers general fatigue or exhaustion, whether or not sleep is wanted. Someone can be tired from exertion without being sleepy, and vice versa.
Can sleepy describe a place rather than a person?
Yes, sleepy can describe a quiet, inactive town or place with little going on, not just a person's physical state. A "sleepy village" simply means one that feels calm and uneventful.
What is the difference between sleepy and drowsy?
Both words describe wanting sleep, but drowsy often suggests a heavier, more sluggish state right on the edge of falling asleep. Sleepy is the more general, everyday term for feeling ready for sleep.
Is sleepy a formal or informal word?
Sleepy is a neutral, everyday word that works comfortably in both casual conversation and more formal writing.
