Sleep Terminology

adjective describes the state of being asleep

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb to indicate that someone is sleeping or in a state of sleep

• The baby finally fell asleep after being rocked to sleep for an hour.
• I couldn't stay asleep last night because of the loud noises outside.
• I was so exhausted that I passed out asleep on the couch.
• Her creativity was asleep for years until she started painting again.

noun a short light sleep

verb to sleep lightly or briefly

• After a long day of work, he sat in his chair and began to doze off.
• I like to doze on the couch while watching TV.
• I was so tired, I couldn't help but doze off during the movie.
• As the sun set, the city seemed to doze, quieting down for the night.

noun a brief period of sleep or rest

adjective closed or nearly closed, especially with the eyes

• I need to get some shut eye before the big meeting tomorrow.
• I'm going to catch some shut eye before the party tonight.
• Let's crash at my place and get some shut eye.
• After a long day of work, I finally shut my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

noun a state of sleep

verb to sleep lightly or peacefully

• After a long day of work, she finally succumbed to slumber in her comfortable bed.
• I can't wait to hit the hay and catch some slumber tonight.
• I was so tired that I crashed out and entered slumber land immediately.
• As the sun set, the city seemed to fall into a peaceful slumber.