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 of lull

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

Winds will lull overnight, Sunday into Monday, before picking back up again on Monday morning. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026

It’s meant to be like soda — kind of empty pop calories — to lull you into the seemingly anodyne sounds of the Saja Boys. —Charlie Harding, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

Acting in a movie involves a lot of waiting around, too—as the crew repositions cameras and adjusts the lighting, among other things—and those lulls provided me with plenty of time to feel queasy with anxiety. —Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026

The fireplace, stone walls, and ambient lighting, paired with hand-cut steaks, homemade desserts, and Virginia wine pairings, lull diners into a pleasant reverie. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

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