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somnolent

English → EnglishliteraryformalInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "somnolent": Somnolent describes a state of being drowsy, sleepy, or inclined to fall into a slumber. Imagine the

What does "somnolent" mean?

Somnolent describes a state of being drowsy, sleepy, or inclined to fall into a slumber. Imagine the heavy, fuzzy feeling of eyelids drooping after a long afternoon in the sun, or the quiet, stillness of a room where everyone is starting to drift off to sleep. The word is quite formal and is most often used in descriptive, literary, or medical contexts rather than casual conversation. You might describe a "somnolent atmosphere" to paint a picture of a sleepy town or a boring lecture that makes you want to nap. It is rarely used to describe a person directly in everyday speech, preferring instead to describe the mood or the environment.

"somnolent" in conversation

After a heavy lunch

I feel incredibly somnolent after that feast.

I feel incredibly sleepy after that feast.

Same here, let's just nap for an hour.

Same here, let's just nap for an hour.

Used here to describe a post-meal lethargy.

Discussing a film

The movie was quite somnolent, wasn't it?

The movie was quite sleepy/boring, wasn't it?

I completely agree, I almost drifted off twice.

I completely agree, I almost drifted off twice.

Using the word to describe a dull, sleep-inducing quality.

"somnolent" in a sentence

  1. The warm fire made the room feel somnolent.

    The warm fire made the room feel somnolent.

  2. The somnolent rhythm of the waves eventually lulled him to sleep.

    The somnolent rhythm of the waves eventually lulled him to sleep.

  3. A somnolent indifference had settled over the small, forgotten town.

    A somnolent indifference had settled over the small, forgotten town.

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