snooze
B1Informal, colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
To sleep lightly for a short period, especially during the day.
As a noun: a short period of light sleep; informally, a button that postpones an alarm for a short period.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies light, often unintended sleep. Can be used humorously or affectionately. The noun form referring to an alarm function is a specific, widely understood modern extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally common and used identically in both varieties. The concept of a 'snooze button' is universal.
Connotations
In both, it carries a casual, non-judgmental connotation. It suggests comfort and reluctance to wake fully.
Frequency
Equal frequency; a common, everyday word.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] snoozes.[Subject] snoozes [Adverbial] (e.g., on the couch).[Subject] has/takes a snooze.Hit the snooze (button).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hit the snooze button (literal and figurative for delaying action).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in informal contexts: 'I'll just snooze this notification until after the meeting.'
Academic
Very rare; considered too informal.
Everyday
Very common for talking about short sleep or alarm clocks.
Technical
Used in UI/UX design for the alarm postponement feature.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- I'm just going to have a quick snooze before we go out.
- Where's the snooze button on this new radio alarm?
American English
- He took a snooze on the couch during the game.
- Give me ten more minutes—I need a snooze.
verb
British English
- Grandad often snoozes in his armchair after lunch.
- I just snoozed for twenty minutes on the train.
American English
- The cat is snoozing in the sunbeam.
- I snoozed my alarm three times this morning.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Rare as adjective; 'snooze' used attributively) The snooze function is broken.
- It was just a snooze button moment.
American English
- (Rare as adjective; 'snooze' used attributively) Hit the snooze alarm.
- He's in a snooze fest of a meeting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is snoozing.
- I like to snooze after school.
- Dad is having a snooze in the living room.
- Don't forget to set the snooze on your alarm.
- After a heavy lunch, she was tempted to snooze at her desk.
- The lecture was so boring it was a real snooze-fest.
- The ability to snooze emails and messages has improved my productivity.
- He was caught snoozing during the budget presentation, a metaphorical and literal mistake.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Zzz' sound of sleeping; 'snooze' sounds like 'snoo-ZZZ'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLEEP IS A GENTLE ACTIVITY (not deep or strenuous). POSTPONEMENT IS HITTING A BUTTON.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'спать' (to sleep generally). Snooze is specifically light/temporary. The noun 'snooze' is best translated as 'короткий сон', 'дрёма', or for the button, 'кнопка повтора сигнала'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean deep sleep (e.g., 'I snoozed for ten hours' is unusual).
- Using it in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common informal meaning of 'snooze' as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and colloquial. Use 'nap' or 'doze' for slightly more neutral contexts.
Yes. As a verb: 'He snoozed.' As a noun: 'She had a snooze.'
It is a button on an alarm clock or phone that temporarily stops the alarm, allowing you to sleep for a few more minutes before it sounds again.
'Sleep' is the general, neutral term. 'Snooze' specifically refers to a short, light, often casual period of sleep, typically not during main night-time sleep.