WordGarden.iosleepily
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /slˈiːpɪli/
US
- /ˈslipəli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a drowsy or sleepy way
Beyond the definition
"Sleepily" describes how someone moves, speaks, or acts when they are very tired or not fully awake. A cat might stretch sleepily in the sun, or a child might walk sleepily into the kitchen for breakfast. It suggests slowness, heaviness, and low energy. You would not usually describe a marathon runner as moving sleepily; it fits moments when drowsiness is easy to notice. Think of a bear waking up from hibernation and moving sleepily; that captures the feeling well.
The word "sleepily" is an adverb, meaning it describes how something is done. It paints a picture of someone or something moving, speaking, or behaving with the slow, dazed feeling that comes from being tired or just waking up. It usually suggests that the tiredness can be clearly noticed.
You might see a character in a story yawn sleepily, their eyes drooping as they try to stay awake. A dog might wag its tail sleepily after a long day of playing. Or you could describe the sun rising sleepily over the horizon, casting a soft, hazy glow.
"Sleepily" is not just about physical movement, either. Someone might answer a question sleepily, with a slow, quiet voice. A melody can even sound sleepily gentle and soothing. The word often brings a feeling of calm, softness, and the wish to rest. Think of a lullaby sung sleepily to a baby; it is meant to encourage drifting off into dreamland.
So, when you want to convey a feeling of drowsiness, heaviness, and gentle slowness, "sleepily" is the perfect word to use—it is like wrapping an action in a cozy blanket of fatigue.
Examples
- 1
Waking up
She rubbed her eyes and looked around sleepily.
- 2
Half-asleep speech
"What time is it?" he asked sleepily from the sofa.
- 3
Child
The child smiled sleepily and held out her arms to be carried.
- 4
Phone call
I heard Sam answer the phone sleepily after the third ring.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Pet behavior
The dog lifted its head sleepily, then went back to sleep.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- smiled sleepily
- blinked sleepily
- mumbled sleepily
Word family
Explore
- drowsiness
- half-asleep
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- sleepilyadverb