drowsy

Everyday

1. Drowsy means sleepy, when your eyes feel heavy and you could easily fall asleep. tree →
2. A drowsy place or time is quiet and slow, making people feel sleepy, like a warm summer afternoon. tree →
3. (medicine) Some medicines can make you drowsy; the label warns you not to drive or use machines. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it shows a character is tired or about to fall asleep; in health lessons and safety it appears on medicine labels («may cause drowsiness»). Phrases: «feel drowsy», «a drowsy afternoon», «drowsy driving».

Examples

• After the big lunch I felt drowsy. tree →
• The drowsy cat curled up by the fire. tree →
• This medicine may make you drowsy. tree →
• It was a drowsy Sunday, and nobody wanted to do anything. tree →
• Mum said drowsy drivers should stop and rest. tree →
• The baby gave a drowsy yawn. tree →
• The warm classroom made everyone drowsy. tree →
• He answered drowsily from under the blanket. tree →
• The relief from pain and hunger made me drowsy, and presently I fell asleep. tree →

Note

Drowsy is softer than «asleep»: you are nearly asleep but still awake. Spelling: drowsy, drowsier, drowsiest (y changes to i). Do not mix up with «dozy», which can also mean slow-witted (UK).