Lull
lʌl
Definitions
2 meaningsTo cause someone to feel calm or to become sleepy or relaxed, especially by doing or saying something gentle.
lʌl
To calm or soothe, usually with gentle sounds or actions.
The soothing music lulled him into a state of deep relaxation.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little boat gently rocking on the water. That rocking motion can lull you into a peaceful, sleepy feeling. If something 'lulls' you, it's helping you calm down or fall asleep.
👶 For kids: To make someone sleepy and calm, like singing a song to a baby.
More Examples
The gentle rocking of the hammock lulled her into a nap.
The rhythmic sound of the ocean waves lulled them to sleep.
How It's Used
"The mother lulled her crying baby to sleep with a soft song."
"The gentle waves lulled the ship to sleep."
A temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity.
lʌl
A period of calm or inactivity.
During the lull in the fighting, the soldiers rested.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really busy day, and then suddenly everything goes quiet and calm for a little while. That quiet time is a lull.
👶 For kids: A short time when things are quiet or nothing is happening.
More Examples
There was a lull in the conversation.
The market experienced a brief lull before the prices began to surge again.
How It's Used
"There was a lull in sales during the summer months."
"The storm briefly subsided, creating a lull before it intensified again."
Idioms & expressions
lull someone into a false sense of security
To cause someone to feel safe and confident when they are not, often to deceive them.
"The con artist tried to lull the victim into a false sense of security before stealing their money."
From Middle English lullen, from Old English lyllian ('to sing softly'). Cognate with Dutch lullen ('to babble') and German lullen ('to lull').
Used in literature and poetry to describe calming situations or periods of quietness since at least the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of a lullaby - a song meant to calm and soothe.
Word Origin
"to sing softly, soothe"