sleeps in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sleeps in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who stays in bed later than usual, often during the morning. Example: "On weekends, she loves to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Jake sleeps in.

The New York Times

No one sleeps in hospitals.

The New Yorker

On Sundays, Phung sleeps in.

The New York Times

I wonder whether she sleeps in them.

Independent

Lincoln sleeps in a recliner chair.

The New York Times

A bugler sleeps in the guardhouse.

The New Yorker

Ms. Ortiz sleeps in the living room.

The New York Times

No one sleeps in it any more.

Independent

Like who sleeps in separate bedrooms.

The New York Times

Everyone else sleeps in the open.

The New York Times

She sleeps in fine old hotels.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sleeps in" to indicate a conscious decision to stay in bed longer than usual, often on weekends or holidays. For example, "She usually sleeps in on Sundays."

Common error

Avoid using "sleeps in" when referring to someone who is simply asleep, regardless of the time. "Sleeps in" implies a deliberate choice to stay in bed longer than normal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sleeps in" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the act of remaining in bed later than usual. Ludwig examples show it used to describe both habitual actions (e.g., "On Sundays, Phung sleeps in") and specific instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sleeps in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of staying in bed longer than usual. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for neutral contexts, most frequently in news and media. While many semantically similar phrases exist, such as "sleeps late" or "wakes up late", "sleeps in" specifically implies a conscious choice to enjoy a leisurely morning. It's crucial to differentiate this from simply being asleep or oversleeping. Therefore, the phrase "sleeps in" is an easy, relatable way to convey a common experience in writing and everyday speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sleeps late

This alternative replaces "in" with "late", directly indicating a later sleep time.

wakes up late

This phrase changes the focus to the action of waking up, emphasizing the time.

stays in bed longer

This alternative expands on the idea of remaining in bed for a longer duration.

enjoys a lie-in

This is an idiomatic expression, especially common in British English, for staying in bed longer than usual.

takes a long rest

This phrase broadens the concept to include general rest, not just sleep.

oversleeps

This suggests sleeping longer than intended, possibly missing an alarm or appointment.

slumbers longer

This alternative uses a more formal and literary term for sleep.

remains in bed

This phrase is neutral and highlights the action of staying in bed.

lounges in bed

This suggests relaxing in bed without necessarily sleeping.

postpones waking

This alternative focuses on delaying the act of waking up.

FAQs

What does "sleeps in" mean?

The phrase "sleeps in" means to stay in bed later than usual, especially on weekends or holidays. It implies a leisurely or restful morning.

Is it correct to say "sleeps in"?

Yes, it is correct to say "sleeps in". It's a common and accepted phrase in English to describe the act of staying in bed longer than usual.

What can I say instead of "sleeps in"?

You can use alternatives like "sleeps late", "wakes up late", or "enjoys a lie-in" depending on the context.

How to use "sleeps in" in a sentence?

You can use "sleeps in" to describe someone who stays in bed longer than usual. For example, "On Saturdays, he usually "sleeps in" until noon."