French word

somnifère

Pronunciation

IPA/sɔmnifɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsleeping pill

Example

Je prends un somnifère quand je n'arrive pas à dormir.

I take a sleeping pill when I can't sleep.

Illustration for somnifère (sleeping pill)

More examples

Le médecin m'a prescrit un somnifère.

The doctor prescribed me a sleeping pill.

Core concept

A sleep-bringing treatment used when wakefulness will not let sleep begin.

Common phrases

  • prendre un somnifère

    take a sleeping pill

  • prescrire un somnifère

    prescribe a sleeping pill

  • acheter un somnifère

    buy a sleeping pill

Similar words

tranquillisant: A drug that eases anxiety or tension.
sédatif: A drug that calms the mind and promotes relaxation.
médicament: A general term for a drug used to treat an illness or symptom.

Definition in French

Produit médicamenteux utilisé pour induire le sommeil.

Word origin

The French noun derives from Latin somnifer, combining somnus for 'sleep' with ferre for 'to carry or bring'.

Usage tips

  • Somnifère can also be an adjective meaning sleep-inducing, as in un effet somnifère, and can describe something dulling or soporific.

Opposites

Word lists with this word