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

The public can be lulled into thinking impacts of a hurricane or tropical storm are along dots, lines, and cones seen on maps. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

In one lovely scene later in the film, a friend lulls her to sleep, his face appearing in a video call on her laptop. —Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

Noun

During the rare lull in service, McPherson watches over this scene from the bar, catching up with longtime customers and friends from the neighborhood. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

Create Your Own Costume Local Key West’ers created Fantasy Fest to bring visitors to the island during the lull in the season. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 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