sleep with: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, colloquial. The sexual sense is especially used in conversational English and popular media.
Quick answer
What does “sleep with” mean?
To share a bed or bedroom with someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To share a bed or bedroom with someone; to stay overnight together.
A euphemism for having a sexual relationship with someone, especially when not in a long-term, committed partnership.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning. 'Sleep together' is a slightly more common synonym in both varieties for the sexual meaning.
Connotations
In both varieties, the phrase carries an informal and somewhat euphemistic or casual connotation for the sexual act. It can imply a lack of serious emotional commitment.
Frequency
The euphemistic meaning is very frequent in informal spoken English in both the UK and US. The literal meaning is less commonly expressed with this phrase to avoid ambiguity.
Grammar
How to Use “sleep with” in a Sentence
Subject + sleep with + Object (person)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sleep with” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Did he really sleep with his best mate's ex?
- When we were kids, I'd sleep with my sister if I had a nightmare.
American English
- She admitted to sleeping with him on their third date.
- Can I sleep with you? I'm scared of the dark.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard. No adverbial form.)
American English
- (Not standard. No adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard. No adjectival form.)
American English
- (Not standard. No adjectival form.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. Highly inappropriate.
Academic
Used in sociological, psychological, or literary contexts to discuss relationships e.g., 'participants who reported sleeping with multiple partners.'
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about relationships. Requires careful context to avoid misinterpretation.
Technical
Used in medical (e.g., sleep studies) or survey contexts, often clarified as 'co-sleeping'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sleep with”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sleep with”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sleep with”
- Using it in formal contexts. *'The conference attendees slept with their roommates.' (Use 'shared a room with').
- Assuming it's always sexual. 'My child slept with me during the thunderstorm.' is fine.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has a literal meaning of sharing a bed. However, in adult conversation, the sexual meaning is more common and assumed unless context clearly indicates otherwise (e.g., talking about children or siblings).
They are virtually synonymous for the sexual meaning. 'Sleep together' is very slightly more common and may sound a tiny bit less blunt. Both are informal.
It is not advisable. For the literal meaning, use 'co-sleep with' or 'share a bed with'. For the sexual meaning, use academic terms like 'had sexual intercourse with', 'were sexually intimate', or 'engaged in a sexual relationship with', depending on the precise meaning required.
Look at the subject and object. If they are adults in a non-familial context, it's likely sexual. If the subject is a child, or the object is a parent/sibling/teddy bear, or if the context discusses fear, illness, or lack of space, it's likely literal.
To share a bed or bedroom with someone.
Sleep with: in British English it is pronounced /sliːp wɪð/, and in American English it is pronounced /slip wɪð/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sleep with the fishes (euphemism for being murdered)”
- “sleep with one eye open (be wary)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sleep with' as a two-step phrase: 1) Literal = in a bed WITH someone. 2) Euphemistic = doing more than just sleeping WITH someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTIMACY IS PROXIMITY DURING SLEEP / SEX IS A SUBSET OF SLEEPING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sleep with' LEAST likely to be misinterpreted?