Sleep Disorders Terminology

adjective characterized by irregular or erratic bursts of activity or energy

• The fitful progress of the negotiations has caused delays in reaching a final agreement.
• His sleep was fitful, he kept tossing and turning all night.
• I couldn't concentrate on my work because of my fitful internet connection.
• The fitful nature of their relationship made it difficult to predict their future together.

verb to sleep longer than intended or necessary

• I apologize for my tardiness, as I overslept this morning.
• I totally overslept and missed my morning meeting.
• I always oversleep on weekends because I stay up late.
• Don't oversleep on this opportunity, make sure to seize it while you can.

noun a state of being tired or drowsy

• The sleepiness caused by the medication made it difficult for the patient to stay awake during the day.
• I can't shake off this sleepiness no matter how much coffee I drink.
• I'm feeling so zonked out, the sleepiness is hitting me hard.
• The sleepiness of winter enveloped the town in a cozy blanket of quiet.

noun the act of making a harsh or loud noise while sleeping

• The sound of snoring coming from the next room kept me awake all night.
• My dad fell asleep on the couch and started snoring really loudly.
• I can't stand sleeping next to my brother, he's always snoring like a chainsaw.
• The old building seemed to be snoring as it settled into the night.

noun a state of drowsiness or sleepiness; the quality or condition of being sleepy or drowsy

• The patient experienced somnolence as a side effect of the medication.
• I feel so somnolent after that big meal.
• I can't keep my eyes open, I'm so somnolent.
• The somnolence of the small town was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

adjective describing a state of not being refreshed or rested

• After a night of little sleep, I woke up feeling unrefreshed and tired.
• I stayed up too late watching TV and now I'm feeling totally unrefreshed.
• I partied all night and now I'm feeling super unrefreshed.
• Her mind felt unrefreshed, like a stagnant pond in need of fresh water.

noun the action of opening one's mouth wide and inhaling deeply due to tiredness or boredom

adjective characterized by yawning

• The professor caught several students yawning during his lecture.
• I couldn't stop yawning during the boring meeting.
• I was yawning my head off during that movie.
• The yawning gap between the two political parties seems impossible to bridge.

noun a characteristic pattern of behavior or physiological functioning that corresponds to a specific time of day

• The study aimed to investigate the correlation between sleep patterns and chronotype.
• I'm definitely a night owl, my chronotype is to stay up late and sleep in.
• I'm not a morning person at all, my chronotype is to hit snooze multiple times.
• His chronotype is like a well-oiled machine, always waking up at the same time every day.

noun the beginning or onset of sleep

• The sleep start feature on my new smartwatch helps me track my sleep patterns.
• I love how the sleep start function on my phone automatically turns on do not disturb mode.
• I set the sleep start timer on my TV so it turns off after I fall asleep.
• The sleep start of the night sky signaled the end of the day and the start of a peaceful night.