sleepwalk

verb

sleep·​walk ˈslēp-ˌwȯk 

sleepwalked; sleepwalking; sleepwalks

intransitive verb

1

: to walk while or as if while asleep

2

: to proceed in a passive often lethargic manner

sleepwalked through the workday

sleepwalk noun

sleepwalker

ˈslēp-ˌwȯ-kər 

noun

Examples of sleepwalk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Terrible visual effects, bad plot, ridiculous villain, a cast who mostly sleepwalk through their roles – with the exception again of Reeve, who commits to the role fully and sells the themes about disarmament even while the movie falls apart around him. —Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Europe is wary of sleepwalking back into the trap of reliance on Russian energy resources that caused an energy crisis at the outset of the 2022 invasion and mounting speculation that Europe might reopen its taps has sparked pushback from key European voices. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Most people don't need treatment specific to sleepwalking. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025

There's a higher rate of sleepwalking in people who have migraine with aura. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sleepwalk

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

sleepwalk

verb

sleep·​walk ˈslēp-ˌwȯk 

: to walk while or as if while asleep

sleepwalker

-ˌwȯ-kər 

noun