Doze, Drowse and Dizzy Are a Sleepy Family
To doze is to sleep lightly. English has an unusually rich vocabulary for shallow sleep.
To doze is to sleep lightly, especially in short spells. English has an unusually large vocabulary for shallow sleep — doze, drowse, nap, snooze, slumber, nod off, catnap — where many languages make do with one or two words. The root here is Scandinavian, probably related to Danish *døse*, to make drowsy. A *doze* and a *nap* differ subtly in use: you take a nap deliberately, but you doze off without meaning to.
- To sleep lightly. *Dozing in the chair.*
- A light sleep. *A short doze.*
- Doze off — fall asleep unintentionally. *He dozed off.*
- Drowse — a related word. *Drowse.*
- Danish — *døse*. *A likely source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | doze | Dozing. |
| Noun | doze | A doze. |
| Past | dozed | Dozed. |
| Adjective | dozy | Dozy. |
| Related | drowsy | Drowsy. |
- He dozed in the armchair.Sleep.
- She dozed off during the film.Unintentional.
- A nap is deliberate.Distinction.
Shades of light sleep
- Doze — light and usually unintended
- Nap — short and deliberate
- Snooze — informal, often brief and repeated
- Slumber — literary, for deeper sleep
- Nod off — falling asleep while trying to stay awake
Probably of Scandinavian origin, related to Danish *døse*, to make drowsy, recorded from the 1600s.
What is the difference between a doze and a nap?
A nap is taken deliberately. Dozing usually happens without meaning to, as when you doze off in a chair.
Is dozy the same as sleepy?
Close, though in British English dozy also means slow-witted, as in a mild insult.