Definition

1. Adjective:

   • In a state of sleep; not awake: Describes a person, animal, or organism that is currently asleep.
   • Dormant or inactive: Describes something that is not currently active or in use, but has the potential to be.

2. Noun (uncountable):

   • The condition or state of being asleep: The natural, periodic state of rest for the mind and body.
   • The suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate: A biological definition of the state.
   • Quiet and inactive restfulness: A period of calm or dormancy.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Please be quiet; the baby is sleeping.
  • The project has been sleeping for months, waiting for new funding.
• Noun:
  • A good night's sleeping is essential for health.
  • The volcano has been in a state of sleeping for centuries.

Advanced Usage

• "Sleeping giant": A powerful person, organization, or country that is not currently active or using its full power but has great potential.
  • The company was considered a sleeping giant in the tech industry.
• "Sleeping partner" (also "silent partner"): A person who invests money in a business but does not take part in its daily management.
  • He provided the capital as a sleeping partner.

Variants and Related Words

• Sleep (verb/noun): The base form. (e.g., ).
• Sleeper (noun): 1. A person or animal that is asleep. 2. Something that achieves unexpected success or attention. 3. A railroad sleeping car.
• Sleepy (adjective): Needing or ready for sleep; drowsy.
• Asleep (adjective): The more common predicate adjective meaning "in a state of sleep". (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Adjective: Asleep, dormant, resting, slumbering, inactive.
• Noun: Slumber, rest, dormancy, repose.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Sleep in: To sleep later than usual in the morning.
  • I love to sleep in on Saturdays.
• Sleep over: To spend the night at someone else's house.
  • The children are going to sleep over at their grandparents' house.

Related Idioms

• Let sleeping dogs lie: To avoid interfering in a situation that is currently calm but could become problematic if disturbed.
  • Don't ask him about the argument; it's better to let sleeping dogs lie.
• Sleep on it: To delay making a decision until the next day after a period of thought or sleep.
  • I'm not sure about the offer; I need to sleep on it.

Adjective

1. lying with head on paws as if sleeping

Noun

1. the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate
2. quiet and inactive restfulness
3. the state of being asleep