noun
lullaby
LUH-luh-beye
Lullaby (noun) means a soft, soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep. Example: “She hummed a lullaby until the baby drifted off.”
noun
1
A soft, soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep.
"She hummed a lullaby until the baby drifted off."
verb
1
To sing a lullaby to someone.
"He lullabied his daughter every night before bed."
How to use lullaby
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gentle song for sending a child to sleep.
Common pairings
sing a lullaby
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Word forms
- Plural
- lullabies
- Third person singular
- lullabies
- Past tense
- lullabied
Fill the gap
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She hummed a _____ until the baby drifted off.
Etymology
Formed from lull plus an old interjection "bye" used to soothe children — first recorded around 1560.
Class of 1560
lullaby joined the language around 1560.
See the full Class of 1560 →
Synonyms
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berceuse
cradlesong
Related words
Rhymes for lullaby
See all rhymes for lullaby →Frequently asked questions
What does “lullaby” mean?
The word “lullaby” means a soft, soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep. In plain terms, a gentle song for sending a child to sleep.
How do you pronounce “lullaby”?
“Lullaby” is pronounced LUH-luh-beye (/ˈlʌləbaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lullaby” in a sentence?
Here is “lullaby” used in a sentence: “She hummed a lullaby until the baby drifted off.”
What part of speech is “lullaby”?
Depending on how it is used, “lullaby” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lullaby” come from?
The word “lullaby” dates back to around 1560. Formed from lull plus an old interjection "bye" used to soothe children — first recorded around 1560.
How many meanings does “lullaby” have?
“Lullaby” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep.
