# sleeping

/ˈsɫipɪŋ/ (US) · /slˈiːpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sleeping
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. currently asleep

adjective · CEFR A2

describing someone or something that is currently in a state of sleep.

For teachers: denoting a person or animal in the state of sleep; typically used as an attributive adjective before the noun.

- Try to be quiet because there is a sleeping baby in the next room.
- The photographer captured a series of portraits featuring sleeping commuters on the late-night train, highlighting their shared vulnerability.

### 3. used for sleep

adjective · CEFR A2

describing things that you use when you go to sleep.

For teachers: relating to or designed for the purpose of sleep.

- We bought a warm sleeping bag for our camping trip in the mountains.
- The doctor prescribed a mild sleeping pill to help the patient overcome the temporary insomnia caused by travel-related stress.

## Examples

- I need eight hours of sleeping every night to feel good.
- The doctor explained that regular sleeping patterns are essential for maintaining a strong immune system and mental clarity.
- While the physiological necessity of sleeping is well-documented, the specific neurological mechanisms that govern the transition between various dream states remain a subject of intense scientific debate.

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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.