numb

[ nuhm ]

adjective

, numb·er, numb·est.

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to make numb.

numb

/ nʌm /

adjective

1. deprived of feeling through cold, shock, etc
2. unable to move; paralysed
3. characteristic of or resembling numbness

   a numb sensation

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈnumbly, adverb
• ˈnumbness, noun

Other Words From

• numb·ly adverb
• numb·ness noun
• half-numb adjective
• un·numbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of numb¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of numb¹

C15: nomen, literally: taken (with paralysis), from Old English niman to take; related to Old Norse nema, Old High German niman

Example Sentences

Although I feel more numb than overwhelmed this year, I am grateful for the simplicity of this dish.

From Washington Post

The technical distinction is mind-numbing to everyone but securities lawyers, but has some important implications.

From Fortune

Last winter, JaMarcus Crews forced his feet, however numb, to walk a paved public track in the town of Centreville, Alabama, until his calves cramped and sweat bloomed across his T-shirt.

From ProPublica

They’re exactly what I want to keep my legs from going numb while cooking dinner on late-fall camping trips.

From Outside Online

To keep the blood flow going, she releases saliva from the hypopharynx, which contains a tranquilizer to numb sensation.

From Popular-Science

Have I got shot up with painkillers and Xylocaine and different things to numb areas so I can play?

From The Daily Beast

As a person in Iraq, you learn from an early age how to become “lifeless” – absolutely numb with no feelings whatsoever.

From The Daily Beast

But a fleeting impression suggests that rap has a tendency rather to numb as, for all I know, narcotics might.

From The Daily Beast

I became numb to the barrage of smells: citrus disinfectants, burning trash, sewage, sweat, and diesel.

From The Daily Beast

Neubauer says that she was numb and disoriented and scared to talk to the police.

From The Daily Beast

When she thought that he was there at hand, waiting for her, she grew numb with the intoxication of expectancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Her soul was numb, her courage seemed dead, and little care had she in that hour of what might betide her now.

From Project Gutenberg

As they sat by the ashes, numb with the cold, all of a sudden a new warmth filled the lodge.

From Project Gutenberg

No, thank ye—I don't want to go so near yet; my feet's all numb an' they allays hurt so when they warms up fast.

From Project Gutenberg

The days that followed were not unhappy for me; and Patricia appeared to be contented in a numb sort of way.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dazed
• indifferent