lull

American  

[luhl] / lʌl /

verb (used with object)

1. to put to sleep or rest by soothing means.

   to lull a child by singing.

2. to soothe or quiet.

3. to give or lead to feel a false sense of safety; cause to be less alert, aware, or watchful.

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verb (used without object)

1. to quiet down, let up, or subside.

   furious activity that finally lulled.

noun

1. a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness.

   a lull in a storm.

2. a soothing sound.

   the lull of falling waters.

3. a pacified or stupefied condition.

   The drug had put him in a lull.

lull British  

/ lʌl /

verb

1. to soothe (a person or animal) by soft sounds or motions (esp in the phrase lull to sleep )

2. to calm (someone or someone's fears, suspicions, etc), esp by deception

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noun

1. a short period of calm or diminished activity

Other Word Forms

• luller noun
• lulling adjective
• lullingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of lull

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English lullen, of expressive origin; compare Swedish lulla, German lullen, Latin lallāre “to sing a lullaby”

Example Sentences

"One of the reasons there has been a relative lull in the past month is the fact that such vaccinations have been carried out on a large scale," the expert told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

In Gaza, the lull in violence has given a glimpse of more hopeful possibilities if the push for peace succeeds.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

A sudden, unusual lull in Chinese warplane flights around Taiwan began in late February, though naval activity persisted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Winter weather and the usual postholiday hiring lull tend to distort the report.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

She bypassed the gallery and headed instead to the kitchen to talk to Great Ellen, whom she asked, in strict confidence, if it were possible to strengthen her lull.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• breather
• calmness
• hiatus
• hush
• layoff
• letup
• respite
• time-out