drowsy

adjective

ˈdrau̇-zē 

drowsier; drowsiest

1

a

: ready to fall asleep

The pills made her drowsy.

b

: inducing or tending to induce sleep

drowsy music

c

: indolent, lethargic

drowsy bureaucrats

2

: giving the appearance of peaceful inactivity

a drowsy village

drowsily

ˈdrau̇-zə-lē 

adverb

drowsiness

ˈdrau̇-zē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of drowsy

• sleepy
• sleeping
• resting

Examples of drowsy in a Sentence

We spent a drowsy afternoon by the pool.

the drowsy students shuffled into the first-period class

Recent Examples on the Web

People who have trouble sleeping may feel exhausted, drowsy and less awake. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 Mar. 2026

Allergy drugs can ease those symptoms and make people drowsy, potentially offering relief from insomnia. — Kara Smythe, EverydayHealth.com, 15 May 2026

Key Takeaways Allergy medications that cause drowsiness are best taken at night, while non-drowsy options can be taken in the morning or evening. — T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026

Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat. — Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see drowse entry 1

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for drowsy

• lousy

Kids Definition

drowsy

adjective

ˈdrau̇-zē 

drowsier; drowsiest

1

: ready to fall asleep

2

: making one sleepy

a drowsy afternoon

drowsily

-zə-lē 

adverb

drowsiness

-zē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

drowsy

adjective

ˈdrau̇-zē 

drowsier; drowsiest

: ready to fall asleep : sleepy

drowsily

-zə-lē 

adverb

drowsiness

-zē-nəs 

noun