slumber

[ sluhm-ber ]

verb (used without object)

1. to sleep, especially lightly; doze; drowse.
2. to be in a state of inactivity, negligence, quiescence, or calm:

   Vesuvius is slumbering.

verb (used with object)

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

   to slumber the afternoon away.

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

   to slumber cares away.

noun

1. Sometimes slumbers. sleep, especially light sleep.
2. a period of sleep, especially light sleep.
3. a state of inactivity, quiescence, etc.

slumber

/ ˈslʌmbə /

verb

1. intr to sleep, esp peacefully
2. intr to be quiescent or dormant
3. trfoll byaway to spend (time) sleeping

noun

1. sometimes plural sleep
2. a dormant or quiescent state

Derived Forms

• ˈslumberless, adjective
• ˈslumberer, noun

Other Words From

• slumber·er noun
• slumber·less adjective
• un·slumber·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slumber¹

1175–1225; (v.) Middle English slumeren, frequentative of slumen to doze, derivative of Old English slūma sleep ( -er ⁶ ); compare German schlummern; (noun) Middle English slomur, slomber, derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of slumber¹

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

Example Sentences

“Love Is Blind” season is named for a game a few women play to pass the time: “Perfect Husband, but…” It’s about as serious as a slumber party as they offer a series of theoretical dealbreakers: “Perfect husband, but he doesn’t wear shoes anywhere.”

From Salon

One morning this past March, I stirred from slumber convinced that someone had snuck in overnight and packed my ear with Jell-O.

From Slate

But Pakistan, winless in 10 matches at home, are brittle and the pitch, out of nowhere, woke from its slumber.

From BBC

Situated right next to the original Pasadena home featured in John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” this horror media-focused art gallery by local SaraRose Orlandini feels like stepping into one of your scary movie slumber parties of yesteryear.

From Los Angeles Times

She moves with difficulty, as if awaking from a long slumber.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coma
• dormancy
• stupor