doze
1 of 2verb (1)
ˈdōz 
dozed; dozing
intransitive verb
1
a
: to sleep lightly
b
: to fall into a light sleep —usually used with off
2
: to be in a dull or stupefied condition
transitive verb
: to pass (time) drowsily
doze noun
doze
2 of 2verb (2)
dozed; dozing
transitive verb
: bulldoze sense 2
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- catnap
- nap
- rest
- sleep
- slumber
- snooze
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 19 May 2022 Tell ghost stories or don’t, drink or don’t, ditch your tent and sleep under the stars, doze off under the stars and crawl into your tent at two in the morning. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 23 June 2021 Putin could be seen on camera during NBC’s broadcast of the winter games sitting by himself and appearing to briefly doze off according to some onlookers. Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2022 But it’s also just four people chatting in the park — about politics, movies, family, the weather — while a dog at their feet studies the pigeons and the passing toddlers doze in their strollers. New York Times, 30 Nov. 2021 Republicans have also been quick to point to any video of Biden stumbling over his words or appearing to doze off during events as evidence of the president's senility; Democrats employed a similar tactic when Trump was in the White House. Max Ufberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2021 Each villa also comes with a retractable roof, so kids can doze off beneath the stars. Kris Fordham, CNN, 13 June 2021 It is performed for supine audiences who are encouraged to doze off during the proceedings. BostonGlobe.com, 24 Mar. 2021 At the New York City Fire Department’s training academy, lessons can last as long as six hours and trainees will tell you it’s not uncommon for people to doze off during class. Rebecca Liebson, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2020 See More
Verb
Surrounded by antique stores and art galleries, dogs doze in the sun while their owners feast on wine and pasta. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 19 May 2022 Tell ghost stories or don’t, drink or don’t, ditch your tent and sleep under the stars, doze off under the stars and crawl into your tent at two in the morning. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 23 June 2021 Putin could be seen on camera during NBC’s broadcast of the winter games sitting by himself and appearing to briefly doze off according to some onlookers. Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2022 But it’s also just four people chatting in the park — about politics, movies, family, the weather — while a dog at their feet studies the pigeons and the passing toddlers doze in their strollers. New York Times, 30 Nov. 2021 Republicans have also been quick to point to any video of Biden stumbling over his words or appearing to doze off during events as evidence of the president's senility; Democrats employed a similar tactic when Trump was in the White House. Max Ufberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2021 Each villa also comes with a retractable roof, so kids can doze off beneath the stars. Kris Fordham, CNN, 13 June 2021 It is performed for supine audiences who are encouraged to doze off during the proceedings. BostonGlobe.com, 24 Mar. 2021 At the New York City Fire Department’s training academy, lessons can last as long as six hours and trainees will tell you it’s not uncommon for people to doze off during class. Rebecca Liebson, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse dūsa to doze
Verb (2)
probably back-formation from dozer (bulldozer)
First Known Use
Verb (1)
1677, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Verb (2)
1945, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing doze
Kids Definition
doze 1 of 2
verb
ˈdōz
dozed; dozing
: to sleep lightly
The baby soon fell asleep and Shlemiel dozed too, still rocking the cradle with his foot. Isaac Bashevis Singer, Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories
Isaac Bashevis Singer, Zlateh the Goat and Other Storiesdoze
2 of 2noun
: a light sleep
dozing 1 of 3
adjective
as in asleep
being in a state of suspended consciousness the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- asleep
- sleeping
- resting
- napping
- slumbering
- dormant
- at rest
- nodding
- drowsy
- dreaming
- somnolent
- sleepy
- slumberous
- slumbrous
- comatose
- reposing
- hypnotized
- sleepwalking
- mesmerized
- semiconscious
- somnambulant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- awake
- wakeful
- sleepless
- aware
- conscious
- sleepless
- wide-awake
- awakened
- wakened
- roused
- aroused
- up
- revived
- astir
- reawakened
dozing
2 of 3noun
as in napping
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself dozing is a natural response to the stifling heat of summer Synonyms & Similar Words
- napping
- sleep
- bed
- resting
- slumbering
- slumber
- rest
- snoozing
- nap
- catnapping
- doze
- shut-eye
- dreaming
- drowse
- catnap
- repose
- siesta
- snooze
- zs
- wink
- z's
- oversleeping
- forty winks
- rapid eye movement
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- wake
- consciousness
- wakefulness
- insomnia
- sleeplessness
dozing
3 of 3verb
1
as in sleeping
to be in a state of sleep likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons Synonyms & Similar Words
- sleeping
- resting
- snoozing
- napping
- slumbering
- catnapping
- dreaming
- dropping off
- oversleeping
- hibernating
- nodding off
- sleeping in
- drowsing (off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- waking
- rising
- arising
- awaking
- arousing
2
as in resting
to sleep lightly or briefly she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep Synonyms & Similar Words
- napping
- resting
- snoozing
- drowsing
- slumbering
- relaxing
- lying
- catnapping
- kipping
- reposing
- laying
- lulling
- roosting
- couching
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rising
- awakening
- arising
- rousing
- waking (up)
- awaking
- arousing
- uprising
- getting up
- wakening