What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sleepy
Example
I feel so sleepy after staying up late last night. [sleepy: adjective]
Example
The baby looks so sleepy after his nap. [sleepy: adjective]
Example
The cozy cabin in the woods was so peaceful and sleepy. [sleepy: adjective]
drowsy
Example
The allergy medicine made me feel drowsy all day. [drowsy: adjective]
Example
I had trouble staying focused during the meeting because I felt drowsy. [drowsy: adjective]
Example
The long car ride made me feel drowsy, and I had to pull over to rest. [drowsy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sleepy is more common than drowsy in everyday language and is used in a variety of contexts. Drowsy is less common but is used more specifically in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sleepy and drowsy?
Both sleepy and drowsy are relatively informal words, but drowsy may be slightly more formal due to its association with medical or technical contexts.
