to slumber

Examples

• All

• Rather than wake the slumbering sentry right then, the Chief made a routine inspection of the cells.

  Fiction book (2001)

• A few people passed silently like ghosts through the slumbering streets while farm wagons rattled in the distance.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Shut our eyes when we slumber

  Hidden Figures (2016)

• Wake and face the light, or slumber into oblivion.

  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

• But he still slumbers, my lord.

  Underworld (2003)

• On the far side of the bed, Edmund's side, Henry slumbered peacefully.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The tree's shadow gradually receded and left her slumbering in the sun.

  Fiction book (1998)

• The boat was bobbing on the waves, slumbering in unknown waters.

  Fiction book (1995)

• A large tortoiseshell cat slumbered next to a pot of scarlet geraniums.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Then fate - it's always fate - played its little joke, and again the elements laughed, roared and thundered, but through it all our heroes soundly slumbered.

  The Gold Rush (1925)

Synonyms

S

to sleep

vsto slumber

∞ 1.0

To rest with eyes closed and not be awake

is a lighter, more peaceful form of that nightly rest

F

to fall asleep

vsto slumber

376 1.0

To start sleeping

focuses on a peaceful, lighter quality of the resulting rest

G

to go to sleep

vsto slumber

369 1.0

To stop being awake and rest with your eyes closed

describes the resulting calm, light rest rather than the act of starting

D

to doze

vsto slumber

43 2.3

To sleep lightly for a short time without meaning to

is also light but feels more peaceful and gentle rather than brief

D

to drift off

vsto slumber

23 3.8

To slowly fall asleep without meaning to

is similar but carries a sense of peaceful, gentle rest rather than onset

N

to nap

vsto slumber

23 1.0

To sleep for a short time during the day

is quieter and more peaceful than a short, practical daytime rest

D

to drowse

vsto slumber

2 6.1

To be half asleep for a short time

is the calmer, more restful version rather than a fleeting doze

N

to nod out

vsto slumber

• Informal

2 7.9

To fall asleep by accident because you are very tired

is gentler and implies peaceful light rest rather than abrupt sleep onset

C

to catch some Z's

vsto slumber

• Informal

2 7.9

To sleep to get some rest

is more about a calm, gentle rest rather than casual informal phrasing

C

to catnap

vsto slumber

1 4.4

To sleep for a short time during the day not in bed

is more peaceful and sustained than a quick daytime recharge

C

to catch a wink

vsto slumber

1 5.5

To sleep for a short time, often during the day

is longer and calmer, not just a very short energy break

D

drowsing

vsto slumber

4.1

Feeling half asleep and relaxed while sitting or resting

is similarly light but emphasizes calm peacefulness over mere drowsiness

D

to drowse off

vsto slumber

5.5

To begin to fall asleep without meaning to

is more about a calm, light rest than the slow process of nodding off

K

to kip

vsto slumber

• UK

8.1

To sleep for a short time, often on a sofa

is the calmer, lighter kind of rest rather than casual dozing

L

to log Z's

vsto slumber

• Slang

9.7

To sleep, often for a short time

is specifically a peaceful, light form rather than general informal wording

Antonyms

W

to wake

∞ 1.0

To stop sleeping or make someone else stop sleeping

S

to stir

75 1.0

To move slightly after being still

Compounds

S

slumber party

• Informal

31 2.1

A night when friends stay at someone's house to sleep, talk, and play

D

deep slumber

1 4.0

A very heavy sleep that is hard to wake from

How Deep

to sleep

∞ 1.0

to slumber

15 3.8

to doze

43 2.3

Surface Forms

Etymology