a sound sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sound sleep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and restful sleep, often implying that the person is sleeping peacefully without disturbances. Example: "After a long day of hiking, I finally fell into a sound sleep and didn't wake up until morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It was a sound sleep.

The New York Times

The first spasm woke her out of a sound sleep.

The New Yorker

Severe cramp in the calf of a leg can awaken people from a sound sleep.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The waves were calm, so I went home and had a sound sleep," Mr. Ahmed said.

The New York Times

Perhaps this is one reason I was able to have a sound sleep each night.

The New York Times

Not long before we leave, I am awakened out of a sound sleep again, this time at midnight.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

He devotes 21 pages of his book to the attack, starting with being awakened "from a deep sound sleep" in the Olympic village and culminating in a lawsuit against the author and publisher of "The Blood of Israel" for being portrayed as "running away by jumping like a goat" in an attempt to escape.

The New York Times - Sports

A good, sound sleep.

The New York Times

Buy Now Verdict: Your guests may never leave if you wheel out the ultra-lux Jaybe Crown, but for novelty value, easy storage and a surprisingly sound sleep, the inflatable Aerobed gets our vote.

Independent

When I wake up circa 7 a.m. after a long, sound sleep, I find I'm adjusted to the new time zone.

Huffington Post

His dog likes nothing better than to bust up a ball game, and will leap out of an apparently sound sleep to do s It usually takes the boy closer to 10 sec.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing "a sound sleep" over alternatives. It's suitable when you want to emphasize both depth and tranquility.

Common error

Avoid using "a sound sleep" to simply indicate the length of sleep. Instead, highlight its restful and undisturbed qualities. Saying "I had a sound sleep for ten hours" is less effective than "I had a sound sleep, and I woke up feeling completely refreshed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sound sleep" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the quality of sleep, emphasizing its depth, tranquility, and restorative nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sound sleep" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a deep, restful, and undisturbed sleep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, focus on conveying the quality of sleep rather than just its duration. For alternative expressions, consider "a restful sleep" or "a deep sleep" to add a nuance of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a restful sleep

Focuses on the rejuvenating aspect of sleep.

a deep sleep

Emphasizes the intensity and depth of sleep.

a peaceful sleep

Highlights the tranquility and lack of disturbance during sleep.

an undisturbed sleep

Stresses the absence of interruptions during sleep.

a good night's sleep

Refers to the sleep experienced during the entire night.

a rejuvenating sleep

Emphasizes the revitalizing effect of sleep.

a refreshing sleep

Highlights the invigorating nature of sleep.

a solid sleep

Similar to "sound sleep" but may suggest a slightly longer duration or uninterrupted period.

quality sleep

Focuses on the overall beneficial characteristics of sleep.

uninterrupted sleep

Emphasizes the lack of breaks or disturbances during sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "a sound sleep" in a sentence?

You can use "a sound sleep" to describe a restful and undisturbed sleep experience. For example, "After a long day of work, I finally had "a sound sleep" and woke up feeling refreshed."

What can I say instead of "a sound sleep"?

You can use alternatives like "a restful sleep", "a deep sleep", or "a peaceful sleep" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a sound sleep" or "soundly asleep"?

"A sound sleep" is a noun phrase describing the sleep itself, while "soundly asleep" is an adverbial phrase describing the state of being asleep. Use "a sound sleep" when referring to the sleep experience, and "soundly asleep" when describing someone's state.

What's the difference between "a sound sleep" and "a good sleep"?

"A sound sleep" implies a deep, restful, and undisturbed sleep, emphasizing quality and tranquility. "A good sleep" is more general and simply suggests that the sleep was beneficial.