adj
Uncommon
dormant
DAW-muhnt
Dormant (adj) means Temporarily inactive, as if asleep, but capable of becoming active again. Example: “The volcano has been dormant for over two hundred years.”
adj
1
Temporarily inactive, as if asleep, but capable of becoming active again.
"The volcano has been dormant for over two hundred years."
"Her old artistic talent lay dormant until she picked up a paintbrush again in retirement."
How to use dormant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot active right now, but not dead or gone either — like it's sleeping and could wake up.
Memory tip
Commonly used for volcanoes, seeds, diseases, accounts, and skills that are inactive but not permanently gone.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dormant volcano
lie dormant
dormant account
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Word forms
- Plural
- dormants
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The volcano has been _____ for over two hundred years.
Etymology
From Old French, ultimately from Latin dormire, "to sleep."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dormant
See all rhymes for dormant →Frequently asked questions
What does “dormant” mean?
The word “dormant” means temporarily inactive, as if asleep, but capable of becoming active again. In plain terms, not active right now, but not dead or gone either — like it's sleeping and could wake up.
How do you pronounce “dormant”?
“Dormant” is pronounced DAW-muhnt (/ˈdɔɹmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dormant” in a sentence?
Here is “dormant” used in a sentence: “The volcano has been dormant for over two hundred years.”
What is the opposite of “dormant”?
The opposite of “dormant” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of “inactive, suspended”, active and extinct.
What part of speech is “dormant”?
“Dormant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dormant” come from?
The word “dormant” comes from Latin. From Old French, ultimately from Latin dormire, "to sleep.".
Is “dormant” a common word?
“Dormant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
