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

• calm
• soothe
• compose
• quiet
• appease

Noun

• pause
• break
• breath
• interruption

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

Jarmusch lulls us into thinking this part will be the exception to the theme of virtual estrangement, just through the bond between the twins that seems to return instantly after an unspecified but seemingly considerable amount of time apart. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025

Task, like its characters, disarms viewers by lulling them into a sense of comfort with its unassuming dressings. —EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Noun

But after that moment, the Bills hit a massive lull. —Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

The show hit another peak after a mid-set lull, which Liam valiantly tried to shake off with stories, jokes, and playful crowd banter — a side of him more familiar offstage than on. —Lily Moayeri, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 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

Rhymes for lull

• cull
• dull
• gul
• gull
• ndebele
• null
• scull
• skull
• stull
• trull
• tulle
• seagull

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