insomnia
Habitual sleeplessness; the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for an adequate duration.
Insomnia can refer to a temporary, situational struggle to sleep or a chronic medical condition diagnosed by a physician.
Word relationships
- sleeplessness: 'Sleeplessness' is a simpler, Anglo-Saxon term, whereas 'insomnia' is the formal, medical term.
- somnolence: 'Somnolence' is the state of drowsiness or strong desire to sleep, the opposite of being unable to sleep.
Commonly confused with
- sleep deprivation: 'Sleep deprivation' is the lack of sleep due to external constraints (like a crying baby or long work hours), whereas 'insomnia' is the internal biological inability to sleep.
Word family
- insomniac (noun): A person who regularly suffers from insomnia.
- insomnious (adjective): Sleepless; suffering from insomnia.
Collocations
- suffer from insomnia
- chronic insomnia
- insomnia cure
Example sentences
- "Stress at work is one of the leading causes of temporary insomnia among young adults." Discussing the modern epidemic of sleep issues.
- "He suffered from chronic insomnia, often spending his nights pacing the floor of his study." From a famous psychological profile.
Memory hook
Think of 'IN' (not) + 'SOMNIA' (dreams/sleep). If you are 'in insomnia', you are locked out of the world of dreams. In-somnia: Inside, you are wishing for somnia (sleep).
When not to use
Do not use 'insomnia' to describe simply staying up late voluntarily (e.g., to study or party); it must involve an inability to sleep despite wanting to.
Fun facts
- The word 'somnambulism' (sleepwalking) shares the same root 'somnus', combined with 'ambulare' (to walk).
Explore more words
chronic, restless, habitual, burnout, chronically, absenteeism
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