drowsy
After the long meeting, she felt drowsy and decided to take a short nap.
The person was tired and wanted to sleep due to the exhausting meeting.
Feeling sleepy and likely to fall asleep; half-asleep.
The medication made him drowsy, so he avoided driving.
The drug caused sleepiness, so he did not drive.
A drowsy afternoon in the sun made everyone lethargic.
The hot afternoon caused a sleepy, sluggish feeling.
Often used to describe a state between wakefulness and sleep, not as strong as 'asleep' but stronger than 'tired'.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'dozy'
'Drowsy' implies a light, almost irresistible sleepiness, while 'dozy' can also mean lazy or sluggish in a broader sense. 'Groggy' suggests disorientation from lack of sleep, whereas 'drowsy' is more about the urge to sleep.
Gold Rule
Use 'drowsy' for mild sleepiness
Reserve 'drowsy' for a gentle sleepiness, not extreme exhaustion or deep sleep. For example, 'I'm a bit drowsy after lunch' is natural, but 'I'm exhausted after the marathon' is not.
Word Origin
From Middle English *drousy*, *drowsey*, from Old English *drēorig* (sad, gloomy) + *-si* (suffix forming adjectives). The sense 'sleepy' developed later, influenced by *drowse* (to be half-asleep).
Usage Notes
Commonly used in everyday contexts to describe tiredness or a sleepy state. Not typically used in formal medical or technical writing unless describing a symptom.