sleepover: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal; predominantly used in everyday, social, and family contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sleepover” mean?
An event where a person, especially a child or teenager, spends the night at someone else's house for social reasons, often involving multiple guests.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An event where a person, especially a child or teenager, spends the night at someone else's house for social reasons, often involving multiple guests.
An occasion where a person or group of people stay overnight at a location that is not their home, such as at a friend's house, at work, or in a shared space for fun, convenience, or necessity. It can also refer to the guests themselves (e.g., "We have three sleepovers tonight").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in both varieties. In British English, 'stay over' is a common verb phrase, but 'sleepover' as a noun is fully established. The American usage is perhaps slightly more frequent and culturally entrenched.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes childhood, fun, and informal social bonding. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, reflecting its strong presence in pop culture (films, TV).
Grammar
How to Use “sleepover” in a Sentence
[Subject] have/host/plan a sleepover[Subject] go to/attend a sleepoverA sleepover at [location]A sleepover for [occasion]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sleepover” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The phrasal verb is 'sleep over': "Is it okay if I sleep over on Friday?"
- The kids are sleeping over at their cousin's.
American English
- The phrasal verb is 'sleep over': "Can I sleep over at Jake's house?"
- We're sleeping over after the game.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. 'Sleepover' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Sleepover' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She brought her sleepover bag.
- We need more sleepover snacks.
American English
- He forgot his sleepover stuff.
- It's a classic sleepover movie.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Very rare. Could be used jokingly for an all-nighter at the office ("Looks like we're having a work sleepover").
Academic
Very rare, except in sociological or cultural studies of childhood.
Everyday
Primary domain of use. Common in family planning and social conversation.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sleepover”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sleepover”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sleepover”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We sleepovered at John's') is non-standard. Use 'stay over' or 'sleep over' as a phrasal verb.
- Confusing it with 'oversleep' (проспать).
- Using it for professional overnight trips (use 'overnight stay' or 'accommodation').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sleepover' is the broader, more common term. 'Slumber party' (more US) specifically implies a group event, often for girls, with an emphasis on activities like chatting, doing makeup, and watching films. All slumber parties are sleepovers, but not all sleepovers (e.g., one guest staying at a friend's) are called slumber parties.
Yes, but it's often used humorously or nostalgically. Adults might say 'We had a grown-up sleepover' to describe friends staying over after a dinner party. The term retains its informal, playful connotations.
As a noun, it is standardly written as one closed compound word: 'sleepover'. The related phrasal verb is written as two words: 'sleep over'.
You don't. The noun 'sleepover' is not a verb. To express the action, use the phrasal verb 'to sleep over' (e.g., 'He asked if he could sleep over'). The past tense is 'slept over'.
An event where a person, especially a child or teenager, spends the night at someone else's house for social reasons, often involving multiple guests.
Sleepover is usually informal; predominantly used in everyday, social, and family contexts. in register.
Sleepover: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsliːpəʊvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsliːpoʊvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms, but the word itself is a compound noun functioning as a conceptual idiom for a social overnight event.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it literally: you SLEEP OVER at someone's house. It's not a 'sleepunder' or a 'sleepaside' — you go OVER to their place to sleep.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL BONDING IS SHARING A NIGHT SPACE; CHILDHOOD FUN IS A SUSPENSION OF NORMAL RULES (like sleeping at home).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'sleepover' LEAST appropriate?