Phrasal verb
sleep in
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
sleep in
Past
slept in
Past participle
slept in
Definition
phrasal verb. to stay in bed longer than usual in the morning, often because you do not have to go to work or school.
phrasal verb. to remain in bed later than one's customary waking hour. Intransitive — it does not take a direct object.
Examples
“I love to sleep in on Saturday mornings.”
“Since the meeting was cancelled, I decided to sleep in until ten o'clock.”
“While the rest of the household rose at dawn to begin chores, the exhausted traveler was permitted to sleep in.”
Examples
simple
“I love to sleep in on Saturday mornings.”
contextual
“Since the meeting was cancelled, I decided to sleep in until ten o'clock.”
complex
“While the rest of the household rose at dawn to begin chores, the exhausted traveler was permitted to sleep in.”
Usage
usually used as an intentional act of rest rather than accidentally oversleeping.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'oversleep' (which is accidental and usually has negative consequences) to help students understand the positive or neutral connotation of 'sleep in'.
Pitfall
I slept in the bed until noon.
I slept in until noon.
adding 'the bed' changes the meaning to the literal act of sleeping inside a piece of furniture; 'sleep in' is an intransitive unit meaning to wake up late.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
sleep + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
Grammar
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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