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

Elsewhere, sharp use is made of a playful score by longtime Johnson collaborator Jay McCarrol, with sleepy piano passages echoing underlying notes of melancholy. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026

The sleepy new Strokes album Reality Awaits landed Friday, less than a week before the 25th anniversary of the band’s momentous 2001 debut, Is This It. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 28 July 2026

Our first stop was Lefkes, a cute village that must be absolutely packed in the summer, but was blissfully sleepy in spring. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026

Located about 90 minutes from Lisbon, Melides is known for its empty beaches, rural land, vineyards and sleepy pace. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 July 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