Choose the word that can appropriately replace the given phrase from the options given below:
A person who talks in sleep
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Somniloquist
A somniloquist is a person who talks in his or her sleep. The word comes from the Latin somnus (sleep) + loqui (to speak).
Example: My brother is a somniloquist; he often mutters names at night.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Somnambulist — Incorrect. A somnambulist is a person who walks in his or her sleep (somnus, sleep + ambulare, to walk); the phrase is about talking, not walking.
Example: The somnambulist was found standing in the garden at midnight.
Option 3: Egoist — Incorrect. An egoist is a self-centred person who thinks mainly of his or her own interests.
Example: An egoist rarely listens to the views of others.
Option 4: Numismatist — Incorrect. A numismatist is a person who studies or collects coins (from the Greek nomisma, coin).
Example: The numismatist showed us a rare Mughal coin.