dormant

adjective

dor·​mant ˈdȯr-mənt How to pronounce dormant (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Take a cutting a few inches long with several leaves to include a node (that brown bumpy thing which is a dormant growing point where the stem meets the leaf). Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 9 May 2025 Shingles develops in people who have previously had chicken pox, a virus that remains dormant in the body after acute infections clear up and can be reactivated later in life. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 May 2025 The infections are the result of a supply-chain attack that compromised at least three software providers with malware that remained dormant for six years and became active only in the last few weeks. ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025 Lewis left and Musgraves moved to Mercury Nashville, leaving Lost Highway dormant — until this year, when it was revived under the Interscope banner. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dormant

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dormant was circa 1500

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dormant. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

dormant

adjective
dor·​mant ˈdȯr-mənt How to pronounce dormant (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on dormant

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