Definition and meaning of English word "sleep"
sleep
/sliːp/
Meaning
NounThe state of reduced consciousness during which a human or animal rests in a daily rhythm.
How to use
The word 'sleep' is commonly used in everyday conversation and is a fundamental aspect of human life. It is often used in the context of health and wellness, and can be used as a verb or a noun. A common learner mistake is to confuse 'sleep' with 'asleep', where 'sleep' refers to the state of rest, and 'asleep' describes the state of being in sleep, for example: 'I'm going to sleep' (meaning to go to bed) versus 'I'm asleep' (meaning currently in a state of sleep).
🇬🇧 English
sleep
Example
I will sleep for 8 hours tonight.
She sleeps a lot during the day.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- get some sleep— to have a period of sleep
- fall asleep— to start sleeping
- sleep deprivation— a condition of not having enough sleep
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #370 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "sleep" mean?▼
The English word "sleep" means "sleep" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "sleep"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "sleep" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "sleep"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Used to describe the state of being asleep." (which translates as "sleep").
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