slumber

1 of 2

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 2

noun

1

a

: sleep

b

: a light sleep

2

: lethargy, torpor

Synonyms of slumber

Verb

• sleep

Noun

• 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

She fell into deep slumber.

a toddler looking so innocent and peaceful in slumber

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

One of the men set fire to the slumbering victim’s clothes, causing a small blaze, police said. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026

The world's largest acidic geyser has begun erupting again in Yellowstone after slumbering for over five years, the national park said Monday. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Noun

So, when does the time change affect your morning slumber? —Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Mar. 2026

In fact, that group spent more than two hours a day on average thinking about slumber, Dzierzewski said, which affects parents’ mental load. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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