numb

American  

[nuhm] / nʌm /

adjective

number, numbest

1. deprived of physical sensation or the ability to move.

   fingers numb with cold.

2. manifesting or resembling numbness.

   a numb sensation.

3. incapable of action or of feeling emotion; enervated; prostrate.

   numb with grief.

4. lacking or deficient in emotion or feeling; indifferent.

   She was numb to their pleas for mercy.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make numb.

numb British  

/ nʌm /

adjective

1. deprived of feeling through cold, shock, etc

2. unable to move; paralysed

3. characteristic of or resembling numbness

   a numb sensation

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verb

1. to make numb; deaden, shock, or paralyse

Other Word Forms

• half-numb adjective
• numbly adverb
• numbness noun
• unnumbed adjective

Etymology

Origin of numb

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English nome, literally, “taken, seized,” variant of nomen, numen, Old English numen, past participle of niman “to take, steal”; nim ¹

Example Sentences

He wanted to stay numb and ignorant and safe.

From Literature

"I feel a bit numb, a bit emotionless," he said.

From Barron's

But this awful situation also highlights TV’s ability to unite its otherwise fractured audience, despite years of scripted and unscripted content numbing us to the worst acts people commit against one another.

From Salon

It was, indeed, bitterly cold, so cold that Rowan's flesh first stung and then grew numb.

From Literature

He turned it in his hands, the palms of his skin buzzing with a numb sensation, like he’d fallen asleep with his arm over his head.

From Literature

Related Words

• anesthetize
• desensitize
• dull
• paralyze
• stupefy