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drowsy

adjective
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\ ˈdrau̇-zē How to pronounce drowsy (audio) \
drowsier; drowsiest

Definition of drowsy

1a : 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
Other Words from drowsy Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about drowsy

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Other Words from drowsy

drowsily \ ˈdrau̇-​zə-​lē How to pronounce drowsily (audio) \ adverb
drowsiness \ ˈdrau̇-​zē-​nəs How to pronounce drowsiness (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for drowsy

Synonyms

Antonyms

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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 Topics can include seat belt usage, distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding or drowsy driving. — cleveland, "Seniors can get “check-in calls” during pandemic in Cleveland Hts, University Hts.: Press Run," 24 Apr. 2020 At this point, putting your baby to bed drowsy but awake can help encourage him to sleep through the night. — Craig Canapari, New York Times, "How to Sleep Train Your Baby," 18 Apr. 2020 Use soothing scents to set a drowsy mood (Photo: Reviewed.com / Jackson Ruckar) Researchers have found that people exposed to the fragrance of lavender feel more relaxed. — Lindsey Vickers, USA TODAY, "11 tips to sleep better during the coronavirus pandemic," 2 Apr. 2020 But Tigertail is also a lot of things The Farewell isn't: drowsy, shambolic, underthought. — Inkoo Kang, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Tigertail': Film Review," 10 Apr. 2020 In a hospital wing designed for celebrations, joyous new parents and drowsy newborns, Hayden felt embarrassed. — Anna Claire Vollers | Avollers@al.com, al, "‘My worst nightmare’: Alabama mom lost custody of kids after seeking postpartum help," 26 Mar. 2020 Johnson opened the second frame with a steal and a breakaway dunk, electrifying a drowsy crowd that had witnessed only six combined points through the first eight minutes. — Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Mangold's late free throws lift Lakota East over Beavercreek for district championship," 8 Mar. 2020 Both Coopers were then in their 20s and living at their parents’ home in the Cotswolds, a scenic and drowsy region in southwest England, a place all their peers had left. — David Segal, New York Times, "Drama Meets Tedium and a British Sitcom is Born," 19 Feb. 2020 The mom suddenly began vomiting and feeling numb and drowsy. — CBS News, "Former Colorado Springs mayoral candidate accused of drugging new mom with cupcake, trying to steal baby," 17 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drowsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of drowsy

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for drowsy

see drowse entry 1

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Time Traveler for drowsy

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The first known use of drowsy was in 1530

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Statistics for drowsy

Last Updated

16 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Drowsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drowsy. Accessed 29 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for drowsy

drowsy

adjective
How to pronounce drowsy (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of drowsy

: tired and ready to fall asleep
: causing you to feel relaxed and ready to sleep

See the full definition for drowsy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

drowsy

adjective
\ ˈdrau̇-zē How to pronounce drowsy (audio) \
drowsier; drowsiest

Kids Definition of drowsy

1 : ready to fall asleep
2 : causing sleepiness drowsy music

Other Words from drowsy

drowsily \ -​zə-​lē \ adverb “Lights out,” said the Centipede drowsily. — Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach

drowsy

adjective
\ ˈdrau̇-zē How to pronounce drowsy (audio) \
drowsier; drowsiest

Medical Definition of drowsy

: ready to fall asleep : sleepy

Other Words from drowsy

drowsily \ -​zə-​lē How to pronounce drowsily (audio) \ adverb
drowsiness \ -​zē-​nəs How to pronounce drowsiness (audio) \ noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on drowsy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for drowsy

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with drowsy

Spanish Central: Translation of drowsy

Nglish: Translation of drowsy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of drowsy for Arabic Speakers

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