dormant

adjective

dor·​mant ˈdȯr-mənt 

1

heraldry : represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws

2

: marked by a suspension of activity: such as

a

: temporarily devoid of external activity

a dormant volcano

b

: temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated

seeds will remain dormant until spring

reawaken her dormant emotions

3

a

: asleep, inactive

dormant creatures

b

: having the faculties suspended : sluggish

c

: having biological activity suspended: such as

(1)

: being in a state of suspended animation

(2)

botany : not actively growing but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment

—used of plant parts

4

: associated with, carried out, or applied during a period of dormancy

dormant grafting

Synonyms of dormant

• sleeping
• asleep
• resting
• at rest

Choose the Right Synonym for dormant

latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence.

latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.

the disease was quiescent

potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

Examples of dormant in a Sentence

The seeds will remain dormant until the spring.

Her emotions have lain dormant for many years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even before he was forced from office, Oli began to hew closer to China, breaking protocol in 2024 by visiting Beijing before New Delhi to revive dormant rail talks and security coordination. —Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025

In the garden, renewal reigns—from dormant perennials emerging in spring to shrubs bouncing back from a severe pruning, nature refreshes itself. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025

Pruning is usually done at specific times of the year, typically while a plant is dormant, before new growth emerges in spring, or once the blooming cycle of a plant is done for the season. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025

With so much stigma on trying to revive long-dormant shows, some stars and showrunners would rather just gather for a reunion special. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, fixed, stationary, from Anglo-French, from present participle of dormir to sleep, from Latin dormire; akin to Sanskrit drāti he sleeps

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dormant

• formant
• informant

Kids Definition

dormant

adjective

dor·​mant ˈdȯr-mənt 

1

: not active but capable of becoming active

a dormant volcano

2

a

: sleeping or appearing to be asleep : sluggish

b

: having growth or other biological activity much reduced or suspended

a dormant bud

3

: of, relating to, or used during a period of no or greatly reduced activity or growth

a dormant spray for fruit trees