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

I felt like I was an extra in a BritBox drama and I couldn’t stop taking photos despite my numb fingers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

But in 2026, everything can be dramatized until we’re numb to the truth of what we’re seeing.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Symptoms can include a desire to tune out for a spell, stick your head in an ice bucket, or find another way to numb the senses.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

"The next phase of feelings were just numb," he says of the days after Freeman fled.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

After half a kilometer or so, Helena slid from my nearly numb arms to the ground in front of the Zielinskis’ gate.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

• anesthetize
• desensitize
• dull
• paralyze
• stupefy