slumber

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

1

a

: sleep

b

: a light sleep

2

: lethargy, torpor

slumberer

3 of 3

noun (2)

slum·​ber·​er -bərə(r) 

plural -s

: one that slumbers : sleeper

Synonyms of slumber

Verb

• sleep

Noun (1)

• sleep
• slumbering
• bed
• napping
• resting
• rest

Examples of slumber in a Sentence

Verb

she slumbered for hours while the train rolled on

slumbering restlessly in the tropical heat

Noun (1)

She fell into deep slumber.

a toddler looking so innocent and peaceful in slumber

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The winter months pass, long nights, a bomb cyclone that buries my basement windows in snow and leaves me to lurk in the dark like a slumbering bear, and then spring arrives abrupt and clanging and golden. — Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026

In other words, the long-slumbering giant in the US space industry may finally be waking up. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

Here’s what’s at play — and what guests can do to protect their slumber. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Last year, the International Menopause Society published a white paper about how healthy lifestyle changes including improving slumber can do wonders for your perimenopause symptoms. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026

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

Noun (2)

Middle English slumbrer, slumerer, from slumberen, slumeren to slumber + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

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