lull

Meaning

Noun

1. A period of rest or soothing.
2. A period of reduced activity; a respite.
3. A period without waves or wind.
4. An extended pause between sets of waves.

Verb

1. (transitive) To cause to rest by soothing influences; to compose; to calm
2. (intransitive) To become gradually calm; to subside; to cease or abate.

Synonyms

calm

break

quiet

intermission

soothe

interval

pause

calm down

respite

quieten

rest

rock

🪨

stillness

peacefulness

recess

interlude

tranquillise

letup

pacify

hush

cradle

alleviate

relief

repose

tranquillize

allay

silence

lullaby

still

tranquility

tranquilize

sedateness

sedation

settle down

smoke

smoothness

soften

stagnation

subside

tranquillity

truce

bring to an end

rock to sleep

become calm

short rest

short interval of leisure

state of reduced activity

sing lullabies

crsdlesong

abate

Translations

wiegen

🪨

bercer

einlullen

apaiser

embalar

🪨

bonaccia

αποκοιμίζω

accalmie

pausa

placare

pause

calmer

descans

νανουρίζω

calme

Pronounced as (IPA)

/lʌl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: lullen

Cognate with Scots: lul

Cognate with Dutch: lollen

Cognate with Dutch: lullen

Cognate with Low German: lullen

Cognate with German: lullen

Cognate with Danish: lulle

Cognate with Swedish: lulla

Cognate with Icelandic: lúlla

In summary

From Middle English lullen, lollen. Originally, perhaps expressive in origin from la-la-la or lu-lu-lu sounds made in calming a child. Compare Finnish laulaa (“to sing”) and Hiligaynon lala (“to sing a lullaby”).
Cognate with Scots lul, lule, loll (“to lull, put to sleep, howl, caterwaul”), Dutch lollen (“to sing badly, caterwaul”), Dutch lullen (“to chatter, prate, cheat, deceive”), Low German lullen (“to lull”), German lullen (“to lull”), Danish lulle (“to lull, sing to sleep”), Swedish lulla (“to lull”), Icelandic lúlla (“to lull”).