noun
lull
luhl
Lull (noun) means a temporary period of calm or reduced activity. Example: “There was a lull in the conversation before someone changed the subject.”
noun
1
A temporary period of calm or reduced activity.
"There was a lull in the conversation before someone changed the subject."
"Traders took advantage of a lull in the storm to head back to port."
verb
1
To calm someone, or ease them into a false sense of security.
"The gentle rocking of the boat lulled her to sleep."
"Their early lead lulled the team into complacency."
How to use lull
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quiet pause in something, or the act of calming someone down (sometimes so they let their guard down).
Common mistake
"Lull someone into a false sense of security" is the standard idiom — don't drop the "false."
Common pairings
lull in the fighting
lull someone to sleep
lull into a false sense of security
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Word forms
- Plural
- lulls
- Third person singular
- lulls
- Past tense
- lulled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a _____ in the conversation before someone changed the subject.
Etymology
From Middle English lullen, thought to imitate the soft "la-la" or "lu-lu" sounds used to soothe a child — the same root that gives us lullaby.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lull
See all rhymes for lull →Frequently asked questions
What does “lull” mean?
The word “lull” means a temporary period of calm or reduced activity. In plain terms, a quiet pause in something, or the act of calming someone down (sometimes so they let their guard down).
How do you pronounce “lull”?
“Lull” is pronounced luhl (/lʌl/ in IPA).
How do you use “lull” in a sentence?
Here is “lull” used in a sentence: “There was a lull in the conversation before someone changed the subject.”
What part of speech is “lull”?
Depending on how it is used, “lull” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lull” come from?
The word “lull” comes from Middle English. From Middle English lullen, thought to imitate the soft "la-la" or "lu-lu" sounds used to soothe a child — the same root that gives us lullaby.
How many meanings does “lull” have?
“Lull” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a temporary period of calm or reduced activity.
