doze

Doze is a verb meaning to sleep lightly or briefly, often without intending to, and to drift into a light sleep. When used transitively, it can describe the act of falling asleep unintentionally, as in dozing off. As a noun, a doze refers to a short nap or snooze, typically lasting only a few minutes to about half an hour.

Dozing commonly occurs during quiet or warm conditions, after meals, or during moments of inactivity. It is distinct from a full night’s sleep or from deep, restorative slumber. The behavior is characterized by reduced wakefulness and an easier transition back to wakefulness compared with longer periods of sleep.

Physiologically, dozing involves lighter stages of sleep and is usually brief, allowing a person to be easily roused. The exact duration can vary, and the outcome can range from a refreshing quick rest to mild grogginess if the doze is prolonged or if the person is sleep-deprived.

Causes of dozing include fatigue, circadian rhythms, monotonous environments, and time of day. While occasional dozing is normal for many people, frequent daytime sleepiness or falling asleep in unsafe contexts (such as while driving) may indicate insufficient sleep at night or an underlying sleep disorder and may merit medical evaluation.

Etymology of the word is uncertain, with doze appearing in English usage since the early modern period. It is commonly used interchangeably with nap or snooze in everyday speech.