drowse
C1Literary, formal
Definition
Meaning
To be in a light, sleepy state; to be half-asleep.
To pass time in a sleepy or inactive state; to cause to be drowsy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a pleasant, lazy state between waking and sleeping, not a deep sleep. Can be used both intransitively ('he drowsed') and transitively ('the heat drowsed him').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, but slightly more common in British literary contexts.
Connotations
Suggests a gentle, passive, often pleasant semi-consciousness.
Frequency
Low frequency in both; considered a somewhat poetic or refined word.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] drowses[Subject] drowses [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drowse away the hours”
- “fall into a drowse”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; may appear in literary or psychological texts describing states of consciousness.
Everyday
Rare; 'doze' or 'nap' are far more common.
Technical
May appear in sleep science or neurology, but 'hypnagogic state' is more precise.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He drowsed in his armchair, lulled by the murmur of the radio.
- The summer heat drowsed the entire village into inactivity.
American English
- She drowsed on the porch swing, a book forgotten in her lap.
- The medication drowsed the patient, making him groggy.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form exists.
American English
- No standard adverb form exists.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form exists. Use 'drowsy'.
American English
- No standard adjective form exists. Use 'drowsy'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat drowsed in the warm spot of sunlight.
- I sometimes drowse on the sofa after lunch.
- He drowsed fitfully, unable to fall into a proper sleep.
- The lecture was so boring it drowsed half the class.
- The lazy afternoon was spent drowsing in the hammock, a hat pulled over his eyes.
- A sense of peace drowsed the troubled mind, if only for a moment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DROWSY and DROWSE share the same root. If you feel DROWSY, you might DROWSE off.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLEEP IS A GENTLE FORCE (that overcomes one).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'дремать' (to nap) for transitive use ('the heat drowsed him').
- Do not confuse with 'dream' (мечтать/сниться).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'drowse' as a synonym for 'sleep deeply'.
- Incorrect: 'I drowsed for ten hours.' Correct: 'I drowsed for a few minutes before waking fully.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'drowse' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency word primarily found in literary or descriptive contexts. 'Doze' or 'nap' are much more common.
Yes, though less commonly. It means 'to make drowsy' or 'to pass (time) in drowsing', e.g., 'The heat drowsed the dog.'
The word 'drowse' itself can function as a noun, meaning 'a state of drowsiness', e.g., 'He fell into a light drowse.'
They are near-synonyms, but 'drowse' often implies a lighter, more passive state closer to wakefulness and has a more literary tone. 'Doze' is more everyday and implies slightly deeper sleep.
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