slumber

1 of 2

verb

slum·​ber ˈsləm-bər 

slumbered; slumbering ˈsləm-b(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to sleep lightly : doze

b

: sleep

2

a

: to be in a torpid, slothful, or negligent state

b

: to lie dormant or latent

slumberer

ˈsləm-bər-ər 

noun

slumber

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: sleep

b

: a light sleep

2

: lethargy, torpor

Synonyms

Verb

• catnap
• doze
• nap
• rest
• sleep
• snooze

Noun

• bed
• catnapping
• dozing
• napping
• repose
• rest
• resting
• shut-eye
• sleep
• slumbering
• snoozing
• z's
• zs

Examples of slumber in a Sentence

Verb

she slumbered for hours while the train rolled on

slumbering restlessly in the tropical heat

Noun

She fell into deep slumber.

a toddler looking so innocent and peaceful in slumber

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While slumbering in this washable silk number is akin to sleeping on satin sheets, this button-up top can get just as much wear out of the house. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2025

In this 2016 outer space love story starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, the slumbering astronauts aboard the Avalon are traveling on a 120-year trip to a habitable planet named Homestead II along with thousands of other colonists. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Noun

Laura soberly examined this woman whose existence had so rudely ripped her from slumber for many a night. —Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

More than that, there is obvious attraction — Mags has a bisexual side that suddenly wakens from long slumber. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English slomren, slombren, frequentative of slumen to doze, probably from slume slumber, from Old English slūma; akin to Middle High German slumen to slumber

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing slumber

• slumber party

Rhymes for slumber

• cumber
• lumber
• number
• umber
• encumber
• outnumber
• renumber

Kids Definition

slumber

1 of 2 verb

slum·​ber ˈsləm-bər 

slumbered; slumbering -b(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to sleep usually lightly

2

: to exist without being active

a slumbering volcano

slumberer

-bər-ər 

noun

slumber

2 of 2 noun

: sleep entry 1