- to soothe (a person or animal) by soft sounds or motions (esp in the phrase lull to sleep)
- to calm (someone or someone's fears, suspicions, etc), esp by deception
- a short period of calm or diminished activity
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
lull /lʌl/USA pronunciation
v.
n. [countable* usually singular]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to put to sleep or rest by soothing means:[~ + object]to lull a child to sleep with singing.
- to soothe or make quiet:[~ + object]lulled his fears.
- to quiet down;
let up;
subside:[no object]furious activity that finally lulled.
n. [countable* usually singular]
- a temporary calm or stillness:a lull in a storm.
lull
(lul),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
n.
lull′er, n.
lull′ing•ly, adv.
- to put to sleep or rest by soothing means:to lull a child by singing.
- to soothe or quiet.
- to give or lead to feel a false sense of safety;
cause to be less alert, aware, or watchful.
v.i.
- to quiet down, let up, or subside:furious activity that finally lulled.
n.
- a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness:a lull in a storm.
- a soothing sound:the lull of falling waters.
- a pacified or stupefied condition:The drug had put him in a lull.
- 1300–50; Middle English lullen, of expressive origin, originally; compare Swedish lulla, German lullen, Latin lallāre to sing lullaby
lull′ing•ly, adv.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
lull /lʌl/ vb
'lull' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):