nod off

Succumb to drowsiness

To nod off is to fall asleep, usually unintentionally or gradually: I nodded off during the lecture.

The phrase evokes the head drooping forward as drowsiness takes over.

It suggests drifting into sleep rather than deliberately going to bed.

falling-asleep

doze

Brief light rest

drowseLight, fitful sleep
drift offBegin sleeping gradually
snoozeLight brief sleep

catnap · nap · slumber · drop off · zonk out · conk out · crash · sack out · hit the hay · forty winks

drowsiness

drowsy

Nearly falling asleep

sleepyWanting to doze
tiredLacking energy, needing rest
wearyDeeply tired, spent

heavy-eyed · groggy · dozy · fatigued · lethargic · yawning · bleary · sluggish · somnolent · torpid

contexts

lecture

Educational spoken presentation

meetingGathering for discussion
sermonClergy's worship address
movieRecorded visual narrative

commute · couch · armchair · recliner · afternoon · late night · waiting room · airplane · train · reading

Categories

sleepsleep, sleeping, nap, doze, slumber
napsnap, catnap, power nap, siesta, snooze
drifting awayfade, float, glide, wander, slip

Opposites

consciousness state

nod offwake up

Become conscious again

awaken · come to · rouse · stir · come around

intentionality of sleep

nod offstay awake

Not fall asleep

keep one's eyes open · power through · burn the midnight oil · pull an all-nighter · stay sharp

alertness level

nod offstay awake

Not fall asleep

stay alert · keep one's eyes open · stay up · perk up · pay attention

Family

nod, noddy, noddle, nodding off

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G