What is sleepy? Pronunciation and usage in English

sleepy means . Learn how to pronounce and use sleepy through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sleepy

sleepyadjective

/ˈsliːpi/
Definition & pronunciation of sleepy

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sleepy" in English. Here's a breakdown, and then I'll offer a few ways to hear it:

Phonetic Breakdown:

  • sleep: /sliːp/ (This is the most common pronunciation)
    • sl - pronounced like "sl" as in "slip"
    • ee - pronounced like the "ee" in "see"
    • p - pronounced like a simple "p"
  • -y: /ɪ/ (a short "i" sound, like in "bit")

Putting it together: /sliːpi/

Here's how to say it, step-by-step:

  1. Say "slip" (as in "slip" on the floor).
  2. Add the "ee" sound as in "see." It's a slightly drawn-out vowel sound.
  3. Finally, add a very short "i" sound at the end, like you're saying "bit."

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the vowel: The "ee" sound is key. Make sure it's a clear, distinct "ee" and not just a short "e" sound.
  • Don't rush: The word has a bit of a relaxed feel, so don't pronounce it too quickly.

Ways to hear it:

Do you want me to:

  • Break down any particular part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you a similar word to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word sleepy in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sleepy" in English. It's a really common and useful word!

1. Basic Meaning:

"Sleepy" means feeling tired and wanting to sleep. It describes a state of drowsiness.

2. How to Use It – Grammatically:

  • Adjective: "Sleepy" is almost always used as an adjective – describing a noun.

    • "I'm sleepy." (Describes I)
    • "The baby is sleepy." (Describes baby)
    • "The room was sleepy with the sound of rain." (Describes room)

  • It Doesn’t Need an Article (Usually): You don't generally need "a" or "the" before "sleepy."

    • Correct: "He is sleepy."
    • Incorrect: "He has sleepy."

3. Common Phrases & Ways to Use It:

  • “I’m feeling sleepy.” – This is the most common way to express that you’re feeling tired.
  • “I’m sleepy after that long walk.” – Explaining why you're sleepy.
  • “He looks sleepy.” – Describing someone’s appearance.
  • "Let's go to bed. I'm really sleepy." – Expressing the need to sleep.
  • "She’s so sleepy, she’s falling asleep." – Describing an action someone is taking because of their sleepiness.
  • "Don't be sleepy during the lecture!" – Giving a polite instruction.

4. Levels of Sleepiness (Adding Detail):

You can add words to “sleepy” to give a more specific picture.

  • Very sleepy: "I'm extremely sleepy." or "I’m utterly sleepy."
  • Lightly sleepy: "I’m feeling slightly sleepy."
  • Deeply sleepy: "He was deeply asleep." (This describes a state of being asleep, not just feeling sleepy).

5. Related Words:

  • Sleep: The state of rest.
  • Soporific: (More formal) Something that causes sleepiness. "A soporific drink."
  • Drowsy: Similar to sleepy, but often suggests a lighter state of drowsiness.
  • Weary: Tired and exhausted (often from mental or emotional effort). "I’m weary after a long day."

Example Sentences Covering Different Uses:

  • "The children were sleepy after their playing."
  • "My eyes are sleepy; I need some rest."
  • "She's sleepy and wants to curl up with a book."
  • "He looked sleepy and nodded off during the movie."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "sleepy"? (e.g., write a story, have a conversation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word sleepy

Practice with vocabulary sleepy

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After pulling an all-nighter to finish the report, Mark felt incredibly ___________ during the morning meeting.
  2. The warm, humid weather made everyone in the afternoon session feel rather ___________, struggling to keep their eyes open.
  3. Despite getting enough rest, she often feels extremely ___________ due to her iron deficiency.
  4. Please ensure all sensitive documents are kept ___________ lock and key in the filing cabinet.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

  1. Which of the following words best describes someone who feels a strong desire to sleep? a) energetic b) alert c) drowsy d) invigorated e) sleepy

  2. When the medication's side effects began to kick in, Sarah became very ___________ and had difficulty concentrating. a) vigilant b) restless c) sleepy d) attentive e) lethargic

  3. The small, quiet village nestled in the valley appeared quite ___________ under the midday sun. a) bustling b) vibrant c) sleepy d) lively e) tranquil

  4. After running the marathon, the athlete felt completely ___________ and could barely stand. a) refreshed b) rested c) exhausted d) sprightly e) vigorous

  5. Which word describes the state of being completely unconscious during sleep? a) sleepy b) awake c) dreaming d) asleep e) slumbering

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Because he stayed up late watching the movie, John found it hard to keep his eyes open in class the next morning. Rewrite using "sleepy":

  2. Original: The persistent feeling of wanting to sleep made her unproductive at work. Rewrite using a related word form of "sleepy":

  3. Original: The long hours and intense workload left the team without any energy by the end of the week. Rewrite without using "sleepy" but with a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sleepy
  2. sleepy
  3. tired / fatigued
  4. under

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) drowsy, e) sleepy
  2. c) sleepy, e) lethargic
  3. c) sleepy, e) tranquil
  4. c) exhausted
  5. d) asleep, e) slumbering

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. John felt very sleepy in class the next morning because he had stayed up late watching the movie.
  2. Her persistent sleepiness made her unproductive at work.
  3. The long hours and intense workload left the team utterly fatigued by the end of the week.

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