drowse
/drauz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (intransitive):
- To be in a state of light, half-asleep drowsiness; to be on the verge of sleeping. It describes a condition between being fully awake and fully asleep, often characterized by heavy eyelids and a lack of alertness.
- To sleep lightly or for a short period of time. This refers to a brief, not deep, state of sleep.
Verb (transitive):
- To pass (time) in a drowsy or inactive state. This usage focuses on spending time in a sleepy, lethargic manner.
Noun (countable, usually singular):
- A light, fitful sleep; a state of drowsiness. It refers to the condition or a short period of being drowsy.
Usage and Examples
Verb (intransitive):
- I began to drowse during the long, boring lecture.
- The cat drowses in the warm patch of sunlight.
Verb (transitive):
- He drowsed away the hot afternoon on the porch swing.
Noun:
- She fell into a light drowse while waiting for the train.
- The medication often leaves him in a constant drowse.
Advanced Usage
- "to drowse off": This is a common phrasal verb meaning to fall into a light sleep, often unintentionally.
- He drowsed off in front of the television.
Variants and Related Words
- Drowsy (adjective): Feeling sleepy and lethargic.
- The warm room made me feel drowsy.
- Drowsily (adverb): In a sleepy manner.
- She answered drowsily.
Synonyms
- Doze: To sleep lightly.
- Nap: A short sleep.
- Snooze: A light, brief sleep.
- Slumber (literary): To sleep.
Antonyms
- Wake: To cease sleeping.
- Arouse: To awaken from sleep.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- In a drowse: In a state of drowsiness.
- He spent the morning in a drowse, unable to concentrate.
Noun
- a light fitful sleep
Verb
- be on the verge of sleeping
- The students were drowsing in the 8 AM class
- sleep lightly or for a short period of time