sleeping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral
Quick answer
What does “sleeping” mean?
The process or state of being asleep.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process or state of being asleep.
Describes something not currently active, operational, or used, or the act of resting with the eyes closed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Differences mainly relate to associated collocations (e.g., 'sleeping policeman' in UK vs. 'speed bump' in US) and some compound nouns (e.g., 'sleeping bag' universal).
Connotations
The adjective 'sleeping' can carry the connotation of latent potential or danger (e.g., 'a sleeping giant', 'a sleeping virus') in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparatively high and similar frequency in both varieties, though specific slang terms (like 'sleeping on' something) may see slight variation in popularity.
Grammar
How to Use “sleeping” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + sleepingadj. + sleeping + noun[Verb] + while sleepingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sleeping” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The baby was sleeping through the noise.
- I'll be sleeping at my sister's tonight.
American English
- He's been sleeping in since he lost his job.
- The cat is sleeping on the couch.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as pure adverb) He lay sleeping peacefully.
American English
- (Rare as pure adverb) She fell asleep, sleeping soundly all night.
adjective
British English
- They entered the sleeping carriage quietly.
- The council installed more sleeping policemen on our road.
American English
- Be careful not to wake the sleeping dog.
- The report identified a sleeping threat to the network.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to an inactive business partner ('sleeping partner') or a dormant asset.
Academic
Used in psychology/biology to describe states (e.g., 'sleeping patterns'), or metaphorically ('a sleeping metaphor').
Everyday
Describes the act of being asleep or items for sleep (e.g., 'sleeping bag').
Technical
In computing, describes a low-power state of a device ('sleeping mode').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sleeping”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sleeping”
- Confusing 'sleeping' (state) with 'asleep' (adjective after verb: 'He is sleeping' vs 'He is asleep').
- Using 'sleeping' as a main verb without an auxiliary (e.g., incorrect: 'He sleeping now.' correct: 'He is sleeping now.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As the '-ing' form of the verb 'sleep', it's used in continuous tenses (verb). When it describes a noun (e.g., 'sleeping child'), it functions as an adjective.
'Sleeping' often emphasises the activity or state in progress and can be used attributively before a noun. 'Asleep' is a predicative adjective used after a verb (e.g., 'He is asleep'), not before a noun ('an asleep child' is incorrect).
A sleeping partner (or silent partner) invests capital in a business but does not take an active role in its daily management or operations.
Yes, when used as a gerund, it functions as a noun. For example: 'Sleeping is my favourite hobby.' In this case, it refers to the activity itself.
The process or state of being asleep.
Sleeping is usually neutral in register.
Sleeping: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsliːpɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈslipɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Let sleeping dogs lie”
- “Sleeping on the job”
- “Sleeping like a log”
- “Sleeping partner”
- “Sleeping giant”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sheep counting itself to sleep – SHEEP + ING = SLEEPING.
Conceptual Metaphor
INACTIVITY IS SLEEPING (e.g., a sleeping volcano, a sleeping account).
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase is 'sleeping' used as an adjective?