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

But he has been lulled lately into playing Luke Richardson’s more conservative game (or maybe the players default to that). —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

The Blue Jackets were all of those things, but their biggest mistake was getting lulled into playing the New York Islanders’ brand of hockey. —Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Noun

There has been a lull in significant business since then, but moves in both directions are anticipated before the window closes at 11pm on February 3. —Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

After the outburst, the black hole appeared to return to a quiet state, with a lull in activity for nearly a year. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 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