sleep
sleep
Pronunciation
/sliːp/
Syllable Breakdown:
s-: Voiceless alveolar fricative
l-: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant
-ee-: Close front unrounded vowel (long)
-p: Voiceless bilabial plosive
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: sleep
Uncountable: sleep
Verb:
Base form: sleep
Third-person singular present: sleeps
Present participle: sleeping
Past simple: slept
Past participle: slept
Adjective:
Sleeping (as in "a sleeping dog")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A natural, recurring state of rest for the body and mind, characterized by altered consciousness, reduced sensory activity, and muscular inactivity, during which the body repairs itself and consolidates memories.
Synonyms: slumber, nap, doze, repose
Antonyms: wakefulness, insomnia, vigilance
A period of time spent in this state of rest.
Synonyms: rest, nap, snooze
Antonyms: activity, work, wakefulness
Verb
To be in or enter the state of sleep; to rest with one's eyes closed and mind unconscious.
Synonyms: slumber, doze, snooze, nap, repose, kip (informal)
Antonyms: wake, awaken, rouse, be active
To provide a place for someone to sleep; to accommodate for the night.
Synonyms: lodge, house, accommodate, bed
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this sense, as it describes provision, not denial)
To pass (time) in sleep.
Synonyms: (Often used with "through," e.g., "sleep through the storm")
Antonyms: experience, endure, be awake for
Adjective
(Sleeping) Being in the act or state of sleep; dormant.
Synonyms: slumbering, dozing, unconscious, reposing, inactive, dormant
Antonyms: awake, conscious, active, vigilant, alert
Examples of Use
Books:
"He tried to sleep, but the memories of the day kept him restless, replaying every whispered word and uneasy glance." (From a contemporary novel)
"The doctor recommended ample sleep to aid in her recovery, emphasizing its crucial role in physical and mental restoration." (From a health and wellness guide)
Newspapers:
"Experts caution against the widespread impact of chronic lack of sleep on public health, linking it to various ailments." ( The New York Times)
"After weeks of intense negotiations, the parliamentary committee finally put the controversial bill to sleep, effectively tabling it indefinitely." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Our latest review explores the best smart mattresses designed to optimize your sleep quality, with features like temperature regulation and personalized support." (TechRadar)
"Can a short afternoon sleep really boost your productivity, or is it just another excuse to avoid work?" (Lifehacker)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Dialogue from a drama film) "I haven't had a decent night's sleep in weeks. Every time I close my eyes, I see their faces."
Television Series: (From a medical drama) "The patient's erratic behavior is a direct result of severe sleep deprivation. We need to stabilize his patterns."
Music: (Lyrics from a popular song) "Just let me sleep until the morning light, forget the world and all its endless fight."
Video Game: (On-screen prompt in an RPG) "You feel tired. Do you wish to sleep at the inn to restore your health and magic?"
Podcast: (From a health and wellness podcast) "Tonight, we delve into the science behind REM sleep and how it impacts your dreams and cognitive function."
General Public Discourse:
"I'm so exhausted; I just want to go home and sleep for about a week."
"Did you hear the baby finally went to sleep? We can finally have some peace and quiet."
"Don't sleep on that new restaurant; their food is absolutely incredible!" (Meaning: Don't underestimate or overlook)
"He's been losing a lot of sleep over this project, trying to get every detail perfect."
"I had such a strange sleep last night; I kept dreaming I was flying."
10 Quotes Using Sleep
"Now, sleep no more; a sad distrust hath seized my blood, and all my spirits are at a stand." (William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)
"After a good sleep, you wake up fresh and vigorous. After a bad sleep, you wake up tired and irritable." (Mao Zedong)
"I love sleep. My life has a tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?" (Ernest Hemingway)
"To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
"A well-spent day brings happy sleep." (Leonardo da Vinci)
"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." (Benjamin Franklin – while not directly using "sleep," this proverb is deeply connected to the concept of early rest for health and success)
"Man is a wolf to man, and the only hope of peace is for them to sleep in their graves." (Attributed to Thomas Hobbes)
"The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep." (E. Joseph Cossman)
"Sleep is the best meditation." (Dalai Lama XIV)
"I would like to live like a river flows, freely and to sleep at the bottom of a silent dream." (Frida Kahlo)
Etymology
The word "sleep" has a long history, tracing its roots back to the very old Germanic languages.
Think of it this way:
The word "sleep" as we know it today comes from the Old English word "slæpan" (pronounced something like "slay-pan"). This Old English word meant "to be or fall asleep" or "to lie or remain dormant or inactive." This verb form of "slæpan" (and its related noun form "slæp") was already in use before the year 1150.
If we go even further back, "slæpan" came from a Proto-Germanic word called "slēpanan". This is a reconstructed word, meaning linguists believe it existed based on how similar words appear in other ancient Germanic languages like Old Saxon, Old High German, and Dutch.
And before that, the ultimate origin is thought to be from a Proto-Indo-European root, something like "*slab-" or "*slap-". This ancient root meant "to hang loose, be limp, or be languid."
So, in simple terms, the idea of "sleep" has always been connected to a state of being relaxed, inactive, or "limp" – a perfect way to describe what happens to our bodies when we go to sleep!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sleep
Sleep like a log: To sleep very soundly and deeply.
Sleep on it: To delay making a decision until the next day so you can think about it further.
Go to sleep: To begin to sleep.
Put to sleep: To cause someone or something (especially an animal) to go to sleep; often used euphemistically for euthanasia.
Lose sleep over something: To worry excessively about something.
Sleep in: To sleep later than usual in the morning.
Sleep through something: To sleep while something is happening, without being woken by it.
Not get a wink of sleep: To not sleep at all.
Let sleeping dogs lie: To avoid bringing up old problems or conflicts that might cause trouble if discussed.
Talk in one's sleep: To speak unintentionally while asleep.
Sleep with one eye open: To remain vigilant and cautious, even when trying to rest.
Don't sleep on it: Don't underestimate or overlook something.
Catch some sleep: To get some rest or sleep.
Hit the sleep button: (Informal) To go to bed or fall asleep.
Wake from a deep sleep: To be roused from a very sound slumber.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sleep from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
