# sleep in

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sleep-in
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

to stay in bed longer than usual in the morning, often because you do not have to go to work or school.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I slept in the bed until noon." but "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.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

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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.