sleepy

adjective

Save Word

\ ˈslē-pē

sleepier; sleepiest

Definition of sleepy

1a : 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

Other Words from sleepy Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About sleepy

Examples of sleepy in a Sentence

She felt sleepy and went to bed. the sleepy children were carried up to bed

Recent Examples on the Web This long-running British favorite about an abrasive London surgeon who leaves his practice behind to become the GP of a sleepy seaside town delivers both in spades. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 8 May 2022 And the party is embarking on the effort in an off-year for national elections, an often sleepy time with a disengaged electorate and a recharging political base. — BostonGlobe.com, 8 June 2021 Destinations near the sleepy town of Stanley such as Red Fish, Pettit, and Stanley lakes are surrounded by trails that wind hikers through untouched alpine meadows that burst with an array of color through the end of summer. — J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 26 Apr. 2022 James Marsden and Tika Sumpter are back as Tom and Maddie Wachowski, Sonic’s surrogate parents in the sleepy Montana town of Green Hills. — Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022 That's because blue light stops the release of melatonin, the body's sleepy time hormone. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 7 Feb. 2022 Crowds were smaller than in pre-COVID years, but Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard still featured plenty of cold, sleepy-eyed but enthusiastic fans. — al, 1 Jan. 2022 Henry high-fived the sleepy-eyed kids, who didn’t want the season to end. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Nov. 2021 Ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, this sleepy farming town some 7,000 miles away in southern Brazil has been gripped by a sense of both horror and nervous excitement. — Samantha Pearson, WSJ, 9 Apr. 2022 See More

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

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best sleep masks.