Word
drowsy
US/ˈdɹaʊzi/
UK/dɹˈaʊsi/
Definition
adj. feeling very sleepy or tired. You might feel this way after eating a heavy meal or taking a medicine.
adj. feeling or causing a state of sleepiness or drowsiness. Often used to describe the effects of certain foods, medications, or lack of sleep.
Examples
“I feel drowsy after eating that heavy lunch.”
“The driver felt drowsy during the long drive and decided to pull over for a short nap.”
“The combination of the warm room and the heavy meal left the guests feeling drowsy, though they were still eager to finish the evening's festivities.”
Examples
simple
“I feel drowsy after eating that heavy lunch.”
contextual
“The driver felt drowsy during the long drive and decided to pull over for a short nap.”
complex
“The combination of the warm room and the heavy meal left the guests feeling drowsy, though they were still eager to finish the evening's festivities.”
Real-World Examples
“For example, antihistamines often make people feel drowsy.” Etymology
From drowse + -y, despite the fact that drowsy (1520) is recorded before drowse (1570). Compare Old English drūsian (“to droop, drowse, become languid”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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