Drowsy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈdrau̇-zē/

Meaning & Definition of Drowsy

Drowsy (adjective)

  1. ready to fall asleep
  2. inducing or tending to induce sleep
  3. indolent, lethargic

Drowsy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. desiring or needing sleep

    "the drowsy students shuffled into the first-period class"

    similar: dozy, sleepy, slumberous, somnolent
    related: asleep, dormant, dozing, resting, sleeping, slumbering, nodding, yawning
    opposite: alert, awake, conscious, wakeful, wide-awake
    near: restive, restless, sleepless, insomniac

  2. tending to cause sleep

    "listened to drowsy music while waiting in the dentist's office"

    similar: hypnotic, narcotic, opiate, sleepy, slumberous, somniferous, somnolent, soporific
    related: depressant, relaxant, sedative, tranquilizing, calming, comforting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, restful, settling, soothing, analgesic, anesthetic, anesthetizing, benumbing, deadening, dulling, numbing, hypnotizing, mesmerizing, stupefying
    opposite: stimulant
    near: arousing, awakening, energizing, invigorating, rousing, stimulating, wakening, waking, bracing, refreshing, restorative, reviving, stimulative, stimulatory

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Drowsy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Drowsy:

dozy, sleepy, slumberous, somnolent, hypnotic, narcotic, opiate, somniferous, soporific

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Drowsy

Words with the opposite meaning of Drowsy:

alert, awake, conscious, wakeful, wide-awake, stimulant

Related Words for Drowsy

asleep, dormant, dozing, resting, sleeping, slumbering, nodding, yawning, depressant, relaxant, sedative, tranquilizing, calming, comforting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, restful, settling, soothing, analgesic, anesthetic, anesthetizing, benumbing, deadening, dulling, numbing, hypnotizing, mesmerizing

Near Antonyms of Drowsy

restive, restless, sleepless, insomniac, arousing, awakening, energizing, invigorating, rousing, stimulating, wakening, waking, bracing, refreshing, restorative, reviving, stimulative, stimulatory

Word Forms of Drowsy

Inflections: drowsier, drowsiest

Derived words: drowsily (adverb), drowsiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Drowsy

First known use: 1530

Frequently Asked Questions about Drowsy

What does "Drowsy" mean?

"Drowsy" means ready to fall asleep. As an adjective, it is defined as: ready to fall asleep. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Drowsy"?

Other words for "Drowsy" include dozy, sleepy, slumberous, somnolent, hypnotic, narcotic, opiate and somniferous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Drowsy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Drowsy"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Drowsy". Common alternatives include dozy, sleepy, slumberous, somnolent, hypnotic, narcotic, opiate, somniferous and soporific.

What is the opposite of "Drowsy"?

Antonyms of "Drowsy" include alert, awake, conscious, wakeful, wide-awake and stimulant. Near antonyms include restive, restless, sleepless and insomniac.

How do you use "Drowsy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Drowsy" in a sentence: "the drowsy students shuffled into the first-period class"; "listened to drowsy music while waiting in the dentist's office".

Is "Drowsy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Drowsy" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Drowsy"?

"Drowsy" is pronounced /ˈdrau̇-zē/.

What is the origin of the word "Drowsy"?

First known use: 1530.