# insomnia

/ˌɪnˈsɑmniə/ (US) · /ɪnsˈɒmniɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insomnia
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 2. temporary sleeplessness

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short period when you cannot sleep, usually because you are worried or excited.

For teachers: a temporary or situational inability to sleep, often triggered by stress, caffeine, or environmental factors.

- I had a bit of insomnia last night because I was nervous about the interview.
- The stress of the upcoming merger caused a week of intermittent insomnia for most of the executive team.

Teaching tip: While medically a disorder, people often use 'insomnia' informally to describe just one or two bad nights of sleep.

## Examples

- She suffered from insomnia for weeks before seeing a doctor.
- Stress at work can often lead to temporary insomnia, making it difficult to focus during the day.
- Chronic insomnia may require a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and lifestyle adjustments to restore a healthy circadian rhythm and improve overall sleep hygiene.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.