The animals hibernated during the winter.

Meaning: The living creatures that are not plants spent the winter in a state of dormancy.

Choice of Words: Animals: living creatures that are not plants. Hibernated: spent the winter in a state of dormancy, during which their body temperature and metabolic rate are greatly reduced.

Alternative Expressions

The animals slept through the winter.

Meaning: This means the animals were resting and not active during the winter.

Choice of Words: Slept means to be in a state of rest with closed eyes, usually during the night. Through means continuing for the entire period of time. Winter refers to the coldest season of the year. When you put them together, "The animals slept through the winter" means the animals were in a state of rest during the entire winter season.

The animals took a long nap during the winter.

Meaning: This means the animals were sleeping for a long time during the winter.

Choice of Words: Nap means a short period of sleep, typically during the day. Long means lasting for a considerable amount of time. Winter refers to the coldest season of the year. When you put them together, "The animals took a long nap during the winter" means the animals slept for a long time during the winter season.

The animals went to sleep and didn't wake up until spring.

Meaning: This means the animals slept during the winter and woke up when the spring season started.

Choice of Words: Went to sleep means to fall asleep or enter a state of rest with closed eyes. Didn't wake up means they remained asleep and did not open their eyes or become active. Until means up to a certain point in time. Spring refers to the season after winter. When you put them together, "The animals went to sleep and didn't wake up until spring" means the animals fell asleep during the winter and remained asleep until the spring season arrived.

Related Expressions