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

Don’t be lulled into assuming that the questions you’re being asked are as singularly focused as the actual words might suggest. —Terina Allen, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

At night, whistle calls of coqui frogs lulled me to sleep. —Keyaira Boone, Travel + Leisure, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

Bitcoin has rebounded to over $100,000 after a lull during the holiday period, climbing along with stock markets. —Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

SpaceX and Blue Origin had been in a lull after a previous bout of rivalry over space tourism, but the competitive landscape is becoming interesting again concerning commercial launch vehicles. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

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