Half-asleep

In a state between being fully awake and being fully asleep; drowsy; experiencing a diminished awareness of surroundings and a reduced ability to fully process information. This state often involves a degree of lethargy, impaired focus, and a propensity for drifting thoughts. It can manifest physically with heavy eyelids, slow reactions, and a tendency to stumble or become disoriented. Mental processes are also sluggish; dreams or dream-like states may intrude on conscious thought. The duration of a half-asleep state can vary, spanning from fleeting moments to more prolonged periods depending on the level of sleep deprivation, environmental factors, and individual susceptibility.

Half-asleep meaning with examples

• Sarah, fighting off jet lag, was half-asleep on the bus, vaguely registering the unfamiliar cityscape passing by. She nearly missed her stop and bumped into a stranger before getting off and navigating the bustling streets while still feeling disoriented, hoping she wouldn't get lost. The fatigue made her every movement feel slow and heavy. She dreamt of returning to the hotel.
• During the late-night movie, the warm, darkened room combined with the soothing dialogue lulled John into a half-asleep state. He nodded off during an important scene, jolting awake a moment later, realizing he'd missed the key plot twist. Despite his frustration, he struggled to maintain focus and just started dreaming of a peaceful sleep once the credits started.
• The long drive and the monotonous hum of the engine had put Mark in a half-asleep stupor. His attention drifted, and the road seemed to blur together. His foot slipped on the gas peddal as he became jolted out of his drowsy state and barely managed to correct his driving before losing control, waking him up fully and getting his attention.
• The early morning alarm tore Emily from a dream-filled sleep, leaving her half-asleep as she stumbled toward the coffee machine. She fumbled with the buttons and nearly spilled the hot liquid over her fingers. After she eventually got her caffeine fix, she would start functioning at half-speed until her third cup of coffee.