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

After a game that saw BSU’s staff have the team focused, prepared and excited, while Oregon seemed to have its players sleepwalking at times? — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Senator Kennedy was right about sleepwalking through the last six months of inflation and the price effect on people’s lives. — NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Stocks are ‘sleepwalking,’ oil is underpriced Hanke’s broader argument is that the bond market is the only part of the financial system currently pricing risk with any discipline. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Brutal first month The Bulls likely won’t sleepwalk through any part of this schedule. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

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