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drowsily

drowsily

1 2.4
In a sleepy, not fully awake way
  • adverb
  • /ˈdraʊzɪli/
translation icon : somnolentamente
  • He drowsily stumbled out of bed, still trying to wake up fully.
  • said drowsily
  • murmured drowsily
  • sat drowsily

Mother sat up, rubbed her eyes drowsily, her breaths like Breakers.

Examples

  • Sitting there drowsily, Pablo began to feel that he was being watched.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • As if he had been expecting her, he answered drowsily.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "Not bad for an old bag," he said drowsily into my hair.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "What is it?" Charlotte asked drowsily at his side.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "I should like that," the boy said drowsily.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "Hi," said the Ant King drowsily.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "Good night, Old Raccoon," Small Mouse said drowsily.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Drowsily, she dialed the number directly and waited for Mr. Smith to answer it.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The children moved drowsily, and she was annoyed at their sluggishness.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • As dawn streamed through the curtains in Great-Aunt Mary's immaculate bedroom, Meredith lay drowsily between the clean white sheets of the four-poster bed.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

wearily
vsdrowsily
23 3.0

In a tired way that shows little energy

focuses on feeling sleepy or tired rather than effort cause
sleepily
vsdrowsily
7 1.0

Someone moves or speaks in a tired, half-awake way

expresses sleepiness but may also mean simple tiredness rather than sleepiness
groggily
vsdrowsily
3 4.1

In a sleepy, slow, confused way after waking or when very tired

expresses sleepiness generally rather than post-waking disorientation
languidly
vsdrowsily
3 7.0

In a slow, relaxed way with little energy

implies sleepiness or tiredness rather than a calm relaxed state
tiredly
vsdrowsily
3 1.6

In a way that shows little energy

highlights sleepiness specifically rather than broad exhaustion
blearily
vsdrowsily
1 7.0

In a tired, half-awake way with blurry eyes

denotes sleepiness or tiredness without stressing visual confusion
languorously
vsdrowsily
1 8.5

Move or act in a slow, relaxed way with little energy

is about sleepiness or tiredness rather than pleasant relaxation
exhaustedly
vsdrowsily
1 4.9

In a very tired way after a long effort

means feeling sleepy or tired but not necessarily extreme exhaustion
lethargically
vsdrowsily
1 6.7

Slowly and without energy

denotes sleepiness specifically rather than general sluggishness
dozily
vsdrowsily
6.2

In a sleepy, slow way as if just waking up

is about feeling sleepy or tired without emphasising inattentiveness
somnolently
vsdrowsily
  • Formal
8.1

In a sleepy way, as if nearly asleep

covers sleepiness but not only near-sleep physical signs
yawningly
vsdrowsily
7.7

In a way that shows boredom or makes people tired

refers to feeling sleepy or tired without implying boredom
unenergetically
vsdrowsily
6.5

In a slow, tired way showing little energy

focuses on sleepiness or tiredness rather than general low interest
soddenly
vsdrowsily
  • Archaic
9.6

In a slow, dull way because you feel sleepy, drunk, or shocked

describes sleepiness or tiredness not caused by intoxication or shock

Antonyms

76 3.4

In a strong, energetic way showing a lot of effort

In a lively and eager way

How Sleepy

somnolently
  • Formal
8.1
drowsily
1 2.4
sleepily
7 1.0

Surface Forms

drowsily positive

Morphology

drowsily = drowsy (transparent) = drowsy + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'drowsy', giving the predictable meaning 'in a sleepy manner'.

Etymology

Drowsily comes from the adjective drowsy, which comes from the verb drowse meaning 'to be half asleep', and the ending -ly turns it into a word that shows how something is done. So, to do something drowsily is to do it in a slow, sleepy way.