sleepless

Everyday

1. Without sleep, or with very little: a sleepless night. tree →
2. Not able to sleep, because of worry, excitement or pain. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people have sleepless nights before exciting days, during storms, or when a baby cries. In health lessons, children learn that sleep helps memory and mood, so too many sleepless nights is bad. In stories, a sleepless character is worried or haunted by something. Phrases: a sleepless night, sleepless with worry, Sleepless in Seattle.

Examples

• I had a sleepless night before the school trip. tree →
• The new baby gave Mum and Dad many sleepless nights. tree →
• She lay sleepless, listening to the thunder. tree →
• He was sleepless with worry about the test. tree →
• The storm kept the whole town sleepless. tree →
• After three sleepless nights, the sailors were exhausted. tree →
• She passed a sleepless night; but in the morning the old dame remarked: tree →

Note

sleep + -less (without). Noun: sleeplessness. Usually used before a noun ("a sleepless night") or after "lie", "spend". Similar: wakeful; long-term trouble sleeping is called insomnia.