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

• asleep
• dozing
• napping
• resting
• sleeping
• slumbering

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

The conclusion of the Mexican War revived an issue that was present at the nation’s founding but had lain dormant since: whether slavery could or should be outlawed in the new territories. —Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024

The tracks remained dormant until 1999 when music producer Pat Thomas discovered the unfinished album. —Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

The Taper hasn’t been dormant in this period of hiatus. —Charles McNulty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

Commercial Off Broadway, a small sector of New York’s theatrical economy and one that has for years been somewhere between difficult and dormant, is back in business. —Michael Paulson, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

After a long, dormant decade, confessional singer/songwriters from every country and cut along the pop/rock continuum are blowing up. —Sarah Grant, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024

One day after The Incredibles characters helped lock Whoopi Goldberg into a wind machine, The View has entered a dormant period in observation of the Easter holiday favored by the Ghost actress' good friend, Pope Francis. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2024

After an Austin Slater sacrifice fly and Wilmer Flores belted a home run off A’s reliever Michael Kelly, the offense stayed dormant until Hicks exited in at the end of the sixth. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024

The difference is the use of what was called dormant oil was limited to the dormant season, while horticultural oils can also be used to control insects during the growing season. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024

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

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