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

Ms Fatima, who watched the demolition on her own phone from a relative's house, remembers going numb.

From BBC

But Trump’s team had long since grown numb to such critiques.

From Los Angeles Times

She said: “It's only when they've been numbed and they see the actual device coming out and they feel it prodded in their skin, do they realise what's actually going on?”

From BBC

Unfortunately, it seems that some of us have already become numb to it.

From Salon

A season of monotony has played out with a numbing sameness on the interior of UCLA’s defensive line.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dazed
• indifferent