lull

1 of 2

verb

ˈləl 

lulled; lulling; lulls

transitive verb

1

: to cause to sleep or rest : soothe

He was lulled to sleep by her soothing voice.

2

: to cause to relax vigilance

were lulled into a false sense of security

lull

2 of 2

noun

1

: a temporary pause or decline in activity

the early-morning lull in urban noise

: such as

a

: a temporary drop in business activity

b

: a temporary calm before or during a storm

2

archaic : something that lulls

especially : lullaby

Synonyms

Verb

• becalm
• calm
• compose
• lullaby
• quiet
• quieten [chiefly British]
• salve
• settle
• soothe
• still
• tranquilize
• tranquillize

Noun

• break
• breath
• breather
• interruption
• pause
• recess

Examples of lull in a Sentence

Verb

The music lulled him to sleep.

the absence of attacks for such an extended period had lulled the nation into a false sense of security

Noun

we took the opportunity of a lull in the conversation to announce that we were engaged to be married

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Comfort can lull us into a sense of dull complacency, and fear comes in the form of a poisonous bouquet of toxicity that paralyzes us. —Cherie Kloss, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

The smell of salt air instantly soothes my soul, the crash of rocking waves lulls me into a dreamlike trance, and the dazzling, endless blue waters take away all of my anxieties one deep breath at a time. —Vanessa Wilkins, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2024

Noun

After a pandemic lull, the number of recalls across the country have been surging back to pre-2020 levels. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024

A day earmarked for travel discounts can be a win for travelers and an opportunity for companies to bolster revenue during a period when there’s usually a lull in bookings, according to McKinsey. —Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English; probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing lull

• the calm/lull before the storm

Kids Definition

lull

1 of 2 verb

ˈləl 

1

: to cause to sleep or rest

2

: to cause to relax vigilance

were lulled into a false sense of security

lull

2 of 2 noun

1

: a temporary calm before or during a storm

2

: a temporary drop in activity