soporific
sop-uh-RIF-ik
/ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk/
Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep; (as a noun) a drug or agent that induces sleep.
Soporific can describe physical substances (like sleeping pills) or abstract things (like a boring lecture or monotonous music) that make you sleepy.
The story behind the word. The word is built from the Latin 'sopor', meaning 'deep sleep', combined with the combining form '-ficus' (from 'facere', meaning 'to make' or 'to cause'). Thus, etymologically, anything soporific is literally a 'sleep-maker'.
Word relationships
- somniferous: 'Somniferous' also means sleep-inducing, but is much rarer and carries a highly classical, poetic tone.
- sedative: 'Sedative' specifically refers to substances that calm anxiety or excitement, which may lead to sleep but primarily reduce tension.
- stimulant: A 'stimulant' increases physiological or nervous activity, keeping you awake.
- invigorating: Something 'invigorating' gives energy and vitality, preventing sleep.
Commonly confused with
- somnolent: 'Somnolent' describes a person who is sleepy, while 'soporific' describes the thing that makes them sleepy.
Word family
- soporifically (adverb): In a manner that causes sleepiness.
Collocations
- soporific effect
- soporific drug
- soporific quality
Example sentences
- "The professor's monotonous voice had a highly soporific effect on the entire lecture hall." Describing the effect of a dull presentation.
- "It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is soporific." From a classic children's book describing the effect of eating too much lettuce. (The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies by Beatrix Potter)
Memory hook
Think of a 'soap' opera that is so boring and 'terrific'-ally slow that it acts as a 'soporific' and puts you to sleep. Soporific = Soap opera + Terrific boredom = Sleep.
When not to use
Do not use 'soporific' to describe a person who is sleepy; it describes the cause of the sleepiness, not the person experiencing it.
Fun facts
- In pharmacology, soporifics are a class of drugs distinct from anesthetics; they aim to mimic natural sleep patterns rather than completely shut down conscious brain activity.
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