Definition

Not able to sleep or having difficulty sleeping, often resulting in feeling tired or restless.

Example

After a long night of tossing and turning, I woke up feeling completely sleepless.

Conversation

I had the most sleepless night ever last night.

Oh no! What happened?

I just couldn't stop thinking about everything on my mind.

That sounds rough; I hate when that happens.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Sleepless** → It is formed from "sleep" (from Old English *slæpan*, meaning to rest or be in a state of sleep) and "-less" (meaning without). The word "sleepless" means without sleep or unable to sleep.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'without' ('-less') the state of 'rest' ('sleep') — that's why sleepless means unable to sleep.

Visually Confused Words