Definition

1. Noun:

   • A natural, reversible state of rest for the body and mind: A state where consciousness is suspended, and the body undergoes restorative processes.
   • A period of time spent in this state: The act or instance of sleeping.
   • (Euphemism) Death: A metaphorical reference to death, comparing it to a final rest.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To be in a state of sleep: To rest with the eyes closed and the body in a natural, periodic state of reduced consciousness.
   • To be in a state resembling sleep: To be inactive, dormant, or at rest.

3. Verb (transitive):

   • To provide sleeping accommodation for: To have enough beds or space for a specified number of people to sleep.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • He needs eight hours of sleep every night to function well. (The state/period of rest.)
  • The eternal sleep claimed him peacefully. (Euphemism for death.)

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The baby sleeps for most of the afternoon. (Is in a state of sleep.)
  • The volcano sleeps, but it is not extinct. (Is in a dormant state.)

• Verb (transitive):

  • This cabin sleeps four people comfortably. (Can accommodate four sleepers.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to sleep like a log/top": To sleep very deeply and soundly.

  • After the long hike, I slept like a log.

• "to sleep on/upon something": To postpone a decision about something until the next day.

  • Don't answer now; sleep on it and tell me tomorrow.

• "to sleep in": To sleep later than usual in the morning.

  • On Sundays, I like to sleep in.

• "to sleep through something": To remain sleeping despite noise or an event.

  • He slept through the entire storm.

Variants and Related Words

• Sleeper (n): 1. A person or animal that is asleep. 2. Something that achieves unexpected success.
• Sleepy (adj): Needing or ready for sleep; drowsy.
• Sleepily (adv): In a sleepy manner.
• Sleepless (adj): Without sleep; characterized by lack of sleep.
• Sleepwalk (v): To walk while asleep.

Synonyms

• Slumber (n/v): (Literary) Sleep.
• Nap (n/v): A short sleep.
• Doze (v): To sleep lightly or intermittently.
• Rest (n/v): A state of repose or relaxation.

Phrasal Verbs

• Sleep away: To spend or pass (time) by sleeping.

  • He slept away the entire weekend.

• Sleep off: To recover from something (like illness or intoxication) by sleeping.

  • She went home to sleep off her headache.

• Sleep over: To spend the night at someone else's house.

  • The children are sleeping over at their friend's house tonight.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Let sleeping dogs lie: To avoid interfering in a situation that is currently calm but could become problematic.

  • I decided not to mention the old argument and let sleeping dogs lie.

• Lose sleep over something: To worry excessively about something.

  • It's a minor issue; don't lose sleep over it.

• Put someone/something to sleep: 1. (Euphemism) To euthanize an animal. 2. To cause someone to fall asleep.

  • They had to put their old dog to sleep.
  • The boring lecture put half the class to sleep.

Noun

1. euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb)
   • she was laid to rest beside her husband
   • they had to put their family pet to sleep
2. a period of time spent sleeping
   • he felt better after a little sleep
   • there wasn't time for a nap
3. a torpid state resembling deep sleep
4. a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
   • he didn't get enough sleep last night
   • calm as a child in dreamless slumber

Verb

1. be able to accommodate for sleeping
   • This tent sleeps six people
2. be asleep