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

The government has credited wintry weather with a recent lull in the disease.

From Barron's

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

From BBC

Despite this relative lull in the tempo of Iranian attacks, the growing belief across the Gulf is that things will soon turn for the worse before getting better.

From The Wall Street Journal

There has been a bit of a lull in new offerings in March, which is typical for this time of the year.

From Barron's

There has been a lull in the new issue market over the past few weeks following a flurry of deals in the first two months of 2026.

From Barron's

Related Words

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