slumber

[ sluhm-ber ]

/ ˈslʌm bər /

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See synonyms for: slumber / slumbered / slumbering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to sleep, especially lightly; doze; drowse.

to be in a state of inactivity, negligence, quiescence, or calm: Vesuvius is slumbering.

verb (used with object)

to spend or pass (time) in slumbering (often followed by away, out, or through): to slumber the afternoon away.

to dispel or forget by slumbering (often followed by away): to slumber cares away.

noun

Sometimes slumbers. sleep, especially light sleep.

a period of sleep, especially light sleep.

a state of inactivity, quiescence, etc.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of slumber

1175–1225; (v.) Middle English slumeren, frequentative of slumen to doze, derivative of Old English slūma sleep (see -er⁶); compare German schlummern; (noun) Middle English slomur, slomber, derivative of the v.

OTHER WORDS FROM slumber

slum·ber·er, nounslum·ber·less, adjectiveun·slum·ber·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use slumber in a sentence

Decreased body temperature is associated with deeper slumber.
7 Wellness Strategies to Build Resilience|Brad Stulberg|January 22, 2021|Outside Online
Two, it prevents you from slipping into an extended slumber.
Take the best naps, with science|John Kennedy|January 19, 2021|Popular-Science
With your mobile laid somewhere on your mattress, these apps interpret data about the movements and noises you make while you’re sleeping to assess the quality of your slumber, so you can make changes if you find you’re not getting enough.
Skip the wearables and track your sleep with these 5 apps|David Nield|January 6, 2021|Popular-Science
The app is one of the most comprehensive in terms of analyzing your sleep patterns and making suggestions about how to improve your slumber.
Skip the wearables and track your sleep with these 5 apps|David Nield|January 6, 2021|Popular-Science

To assess how restful your sleep is, your phone uses its built-in accelerometer, then runs algorithms and statistical analysis to split your slumber up into deep and light periods.
Skip the wearables and track your sleep with these 5 apps|David Nield|January 6, 2021|Popular-Science
The Rockaways have long been one of the great slumbering secrets of New York City.
Bloomberg, Cuomo Should Revitalize the Rockaways After Hurricane Sandy|John Avlon|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In this sense, the 2012 election is the future versus the past, and it brings out barely slumbering tensions and resentments.
Presidential Election Likely to Come Down to the Future vs. the Past|John Avlon|November 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Beds, in those days, were warmed with copper warming pans, and nightcaps adorned the slumbering heads of both sexes.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The present crisis had stirred a thousand feelings and associations, in Hadria, which had long been slumbering.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
Ere long, the individuals composing the caravan were slumbering, with the exception of two, the Captain and the guide.
The Border Rifles|Gustave Aimard
But she laughs in her night-cap when you have fallen asleep, and hurls imprecations upon your slumbering body.
The Petty Troubles of Married Life, Complete|Honore de Balzac
She is tender and gay, too, this young lady who reawakens all your better feelings, who rekindles your slumbering desires.
The Petty Troubles of Married Life, Complete|Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for slumber

slumber

/ (ˈslʌmbə) /

verb

(intr) to sleep, esp peacefully

(intr) to be quiescent or dormant

(tr foll by away) to spend (time) sleeping

noun

(sometimes plural) sleep

a dormant or quiescent state

Derived forms of slumber

slumberer, nounslumberless, adjective

Word Origin for slumber

Old English slūma sleep (n); related to Middle High German slummeren, Dutch sluimeren

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

slumber

Origin of slumber

OTHER WORDS FROM slumber

Words related to slumber

How to use slumber in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for slumber

Derived forms of slumber

Word Origin for slumber