insomniac
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ɪnˈsɒm.ni.æk/
KK: /ɪnˈsɑmniˌæk/
adjective
Definition
Describing someone who has difficulty sleeping or suffers from insomnia.
Example
She is an insomniac who often struggles to fall asleep at night.
Conversation
I didn't sleep well last night; I feel like a total insomniac.
That sounds rough! Have you tried anything to help you sleep?
Not really, I just end up lying awake, thinking about everything.
You should look into some relaxation techniques; they might help with your insomniac nights.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
sleepless
restless
wakeful
Antonyms
sleepy
calm
tranquil
noun
Definition
A person who has difficulty sleeping and often cannot fall asleep or stay asleep.
Example
As an insomniac, she often found herself awake at night while others were sleeping.
Conversation
I've been feeling so tired lately, almost like I'm an insomniac.
Really? That sounds rough; how long has it been going on?
It's been a few weeks now, and I just can't seem to get a good night's sleep.
Root Explanation
Insomniac → It is formed from "in-" (meaning not) and "somnus" (meaning sleep) combined with the suffix "-iac" (indicating a person affected by a condition). The word describes a person who is not able to sleep, hence an insomniac is someone who suffers from insomnia.
Memory Tip
Think of 'not' ('in-') being combined with 'sleep' ('somnus') to remember that an insomniac is someone who cannot sleep.
Visually Confused Words
dipsomaniac