sleepy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sleepy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or a place. For example: "The sleepy town didn't wake up until noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Matrix took Oscars for the sound, visual effects and editing, and Sleepy Hollow for art direction.

The Guardian

For those still too sleepy to grasp the show's theme of simultaneously serving God and Mammon, there was more to come.

The Guardian - Business

But for the other 10 months of the year, the trickle of diners who come to feast on fantastically fresh seafood reflects the general pace of life in the Alentejo: sleepy, bordering on comatose.

The Guardian - Travel

Seasoned backpackers who visited Thailand 30 years ago might find the pace familiar: it's pleasingly slow and sleepy, with simple stripped-back bamboo beach huts for just $7 a night, and three hours of electricity daily.

The Guardian - Travel

Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies from Stansted to Ancona from £45 return October high: 19C Tucked away in a sleepy Provençal village, La Maison de Blauzac is an 18th-century house with a pretty garden and a pool.

The Guardian - Travel

Carlyle's genius is that he is not only totally convincing when he does this (even though his character had previously exuded all the violent tendencies of a sleepy birthday kitten), but also that, after the scene has finished, he does not do the obvious thing and continue tiresomely exuding 'quiet menace' for the rest of the movie.

The Guardian - Film

It is a gigantic mirror-clad middle finger aimed at the region; indeed, it's hard to imagine a more obnoxious gesture to inflict on a sleepy spa town.

The Guardian - Arts

Paracetamol overdoses don't make people feel sleepy and they may feel well for 24 hours – enough time to regret taking too many tablets in the first place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The broadcast set a sleepy tone as awards were doled out to what has become a redundant stable of winners: Jim Parsons won his fourth Emmy for best actor in a comedy series for The Big Bang Theory, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her third consecutive lead comedy actress award for Veep, and The Amazing Race won best reality-competition program for the tenth time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Hotels – and indeed, tourists – are even rarer in the sunny, sleepy islands beyond Jaffna, reached by causeway and free ferry, but the intrepid traveller will find a ready welcome from people cut off from the west for a generation.

The Guardian - Travel

Labaun Bajo is a sleepy Indonesian fishing village on the tip of Flores, which hosts some of the best unspoilt diving in Indonesia.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a place as "sleepy", ensure it aligns with the context of quietness, inactivity, or a relaxed pace. Avoid using it for places known for high energy or activity.

Common error

Avoid using "sleepy" to describe situations or concepts that are merely slow or delayed, but not inherently related to rest or inactivity. For example, a "sleepy economy" is better described as stagnant or sluggish.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "sleepy" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier. It qualifies nouns, indicating a state of tiredness, a tendency to induce sleep, or a lack of activity. Ludwig examples show it describing places, people, and even abstract concepts like tones.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "sleepy" is a common and versatile word used to describe states of tiredness, places characterized by inactivity, or things that induce sleep. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Travel writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and readily usable in English. While "sleepy" is generally neutral to informal, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. Alternatives such as "drowsy" or "lethargic" might be more appropriate depending on the context. Avoid misusing it metaphorically when more precise terms are available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drowsy

Refers more directly to the feeling of being ready to fall asleep.

dozy

Similar to drowsy, suggesting a state between wakefulness and sleep.

tired

A general term for feeling the need for rest or sleep.

lethargic

Implies a lack of energy and enthusiasm, beyond just being tired.

weary

Indicates exhaustion from physical or mental effort.

sluggish

Suggests slow movement or reaction due to tiredness or other factors.

languid

Suggests a relaxed and unhurried state, often due to tiredness or heat.

soporific

Describes something that induces sleep.

inactive

Focuses on the lack of activity or movement.

peaceful

Describes a quiet and restful environment, often associated with sleepiness.

FAQs

How can I use "sleepy" in a sentence?

You can use "sleepy" to describe someone who is tired and wants to sleep, such as, "I feel "sleepy" after a long day at work". It can also describe a quiet, inactive place, such as, "The town was a "sleepy" village with not much to do".

What's the difference between "sleepy" and "tired"?

"Tired" is a general term for feeling a need to rest or sleep. "Sleepy" specifically implies a desire or readiness to fall asleep. For example, you can be "tired" after exercise, but you're "sleepy" when you feel like you're about to doze off.

What can I say instead of "sleepy"?

You can use alternatives like "drowsy", "lethargic", or "sluggish" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say a "sleepy economy"?

While understandable metaphorically, it's more precise to describe an economy as "stagnant", "sluggish", or "underperforming". "Sleepy" is better suited for describing things directly related to rest and inactivity.