Lullaby
/ˈlʌləbaɪ/
Definitions
2 meaningsA soft, gentle song or piece of music intended to help a child go to sleep.
/ˈlʌləbaɪ/
A gentle song to send a child to sleep.
She sang a beautiful lullaby to her baby.
💡 Simply: Imagine a cozy bedtime routine. A lullaby is like a super comforting song that helps little ones drift off to dreamland. It's like a musical hug!
👶 For kids: A lullaby is a special song that helps babies and kids fall asleep.
More Examples
The music box played a sweet lullaby.
The lullaby soothed the crying child.
How It's Used
"Mothers often sing lullabies to their babies."
"The album featured several classic lullabies."
To calm or soothe someone with gentle sounds, words, or actions.
/ˈlʌləbaɪ/
To soothe or quiet someone with a lullaby or gentle words.
The sound of the waves seemed to lullaby him to sleep.
💡 Simply: Think of the most calming sound or action – a lullaby is to soothe someone, to create a peaceful and calming environment. Like when you gently soothe a crying friend, you are lullabying their distress.
👶 For kids: To lullaby means to make someone feel calm and sleepy, like when you sing a lullaby.
More Examples
She gently lullabied the crying child.
The soft music lullabied me into a deep sleep.
How It's Used
"The gentle rain lullabied the city to sleep."
Idioms & expressions
a lullaby of...
a soothing or calming sound, often described by an associated noun
"The gentle rain provided a lullaby of nature."
From Middle English *lullebye*, a compound of *lull* (to soothe) and *by*, an imperative for a call to action. It may also be influenced by the word 'bye' which means goodbye.
Used as a term of endearment in poetry and literature for centuries to create a soothing and nostalgic atmosphere.
Memory tip
Think of the sound a mother makes to soothe a crying baby.
Word Origin
"to soothe or quiet"