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 playing all day. [sleepy: adjective]
tired
Example
I'm so tired after working all day. [tired: adjective]
Example
The dog looks tired after running around in the park. [tired: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tired is more commonly used than sleepy in everyday language. Tired is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sleepy is less common and refers specifically to a need for sleep or a feeling of drowsiness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sleepy and tired?
Both sleepy and tired are considered casual and informal words, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
