sleepy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈslē-pē 

sleepier; sleepiest

1

a

: ready to fall asleep

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of sleep

2

: sluggish as if from sleep : lethargic

also : having little activity

a sleepy coastal village

3

: sleep-inducing

sleepily

ˈslē-pə-lē 

adverb

sleepiness

ˈslē-pē-nəs 

noun

sleepiness

2 of 2

noun

sleep·​i·​ness ˈslēpēnə̇s 

-pin-

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being sleepy

2

: an abnormal condition in flowers (such as carnations or snapdragons) marked by a partial closing of the petals

Synonyms of sleepy

Adjective

• sleeping
• resting
• drowsy

Examples of sleepy in a Sentence

Adjective

She felt sleepy and went to bed.

the sleepy children were carried up to bed

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

No one predicted the sleepy backwater of Sassnitz would be rebranded ‘Crashnitz’ or ‘Smashnitz’ by the end of the first edition of the German Sail Grand Prix last year. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

During an allegedly sleepy period on the NBA schedule, the Lakers shook everyone awake with a blaring alarm. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Terrell, who is gay and doubles as a night-club promoter, brings in scores of drinkers to their perpetually sleepy pub, transforming it into Philadelphia’s trendiest gay bar. — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Eco-friendly boutique shops, trendy coffee spots, and cafes selling poke bowls have also popped up throughout the sleepy coastal town. — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sleepy

• creepy
• principe

Kids Definition

sleepy

adjective

ˈslē-pē 

sleepier; sleepiest

1

: ready to fall asleep

2

: quietly inactive

a sleepy village

sleepily

-pə-lē 

adverb

sleepiness

-pē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

sleepy

adjective

ˈslē-pē 

sleepier; sleepiest

: ready to fall asleep

sleepiness

-pē-nəs 

noun