dormant

adjective

dor·​mant ˈdȯr-mənt 

1

heraldry : represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws

2

: marked by a suspension of activity: such as

a

: temporarily devoid of external activity

a dormant volcano

b

: temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated

seeds will remain dormant until spring

reawaken her dormant emotions

3

a

: asleep, inactive

dormant creatures

b

: having the faculties suspended : sluggish

c

: having biological activity suspended: such as

(1)

: being in a state of suspended animation

(2)

botany : not actively growing but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment

—used of plant parts

4

: associated with, carried out, or applied during a period of dormancy

dormant grafting

Synonyms

• asleep
• dozing
• napping
• resting
• sleeping
• slumbering

Choose the Right Synonym for dormant

latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence.

latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.

the disease was quiescent

potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

Examples of dormant in a Sentence

The seeds will remain dormant until the spring.

Her emotions have lain dormant for many years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Similarly, a fractional COO could focus on scaling operations during a rapid growth phase and lay dormant during less operationally challenging times. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

The real culprits, of course, are those bio-raptors who have a severe allergic reaction to light, and (much like certain species of cicada) have lain dormant for years on end. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2025

The community, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, was largely evacuated a year ago when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

Tourists and residents in Iceland evacuated Tuesday as a volcano eruption impacted the Reykjanes Peninsula for the 11th time since 2021 after lying dormant for 800 years. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, fixed, stationary, from Anglo-French, from present participle of dormir to sleep, from Latin dormire; akin to Sanskrit drāti he sleeps

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dormant

• formant
• informant

Kids Definition

dormant

adjective

dor·​mant ˈdȯr-mənt 

1

: not active but capable of becoming active

a dormant volcano

2

a

: sleeping or appearing to be asleep : sluggish

b

: having growth or other biological activity much reduced or suspended

a dormant bud

3

: of, relating to, or used during a period of no or greatly reduced activity or growth

a dormant spray for fruit trees