Back to Report
sleep · verb I /sliːp/Full view
Nouns: sleep, sleeper
Adjectives: asleep, sleepless, sleepy
Verbs: sleep
Adverbs: sleepily
sleep
A1 to be in the state of rest when your eyes are closed, your body is not active, and your mind is unconscious
Dictionary examples:

Sleep well!

I couldn't sleep because of all the noise next door.

I slept late on Sunday morning.

How can Jayne sleep at night with everything she has on her mind!

Learner example:

I watch television, I read magazines or I sleep. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Slovak)

sleep on it
C2 to wait until the next day before making a decision about something important so that you can think about it carefully
Dictionary example:

I didn't know what to say to Laura, so I decided to sleep on it.

not sleep a wink
C2 to not have any sleep
Dictionary example:

I was so excited last night - I didn't sleep a wink.

Learner example:

Nevertheless, due to the fact that I hadn't slept a wink the previous night, I began to fall asleep. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

sleep with sb
C2 to have sex with someone
Dictionary example:

She accused him of sleeping with her friend.

Learner example:

Liza dreams of becoming a "real actress" and plays a very naive character who is willing to sleep with anyone who might lead her to success. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Bulgarian)

sleep · noun /sliːp/
Nouns: sleep, sleeper
Adjectives: asleep, sleepless, sleepy
Verbs: sleep
Adverbs: sleepily
sleep (NOT AWAKE)
B1 U the resting state in which the body is not active and the mind is unconscious
Dictionary example:

I have to get some sleep - I'm exhausted.

Learner example:

After that, I was very tired and went home to get some sleep. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

get/go to sleep
B1 to succeed in sleeping
Dictionary examples:

I was so worried, I couldn't get to sleep at all last night.

I usually sit up in bed and read for a while before going to sleep.

Learner example:

Since it's quite hot here I bought a fan, I have to use it at night otherwise I can't get to sleep. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)

sleep (PERIOD OF SLEEPING)
B1 C a period of sleeping
Dictionary example:

He fell into a deep sleep.

Learner example:

I need a sunny and friendly bedroom that give[s] me a relax[ing] sleep. Because a good sleep is [an] important thing to begin a new day. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

lose sleep over something
C2 to worry about something
Dictionary example:

I know she's angry with me, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Learner example:

[There] was just one house, a magnificent mansion behind a high fence, that bothered me a bit. No one from there came to meet me. But in the hassle of the first few weeks I was simply too busy to lose any sleep over it. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

Cambridge logo