Dormant
/ˈdɔːrmənt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Dormant describes a state where something is temporarily inactive or not growing but can start again later. For example, a seed in winter is dormant because it is not growing but can grow in spring. It can also describe volcanoes or ideas that are not active but may become active in the future.
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See It in Action
Temporarily inactive or resting state (especially plants, animals, or natural things)
- •The seeds remain dormant during the cold winter months.
- •Many animals stay dormant in caves during winter.
- •The volcano has been dormant for many years but could erupt again.
Not active but capable of becoming active (ideas, feelings, or situations)
- •His talent was dormant until he started practicing regularly.
- •The old company had dormant accounts that were never used.
- •A dormant conflict can suddenly become serious again.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dormant" like "sleeping" (A1 word) — not doing anything now but able to wake up later
- ✓Picture a bear sleeping in a cave during winter, quiet and still but alive inside
- ✓It's the feeling of waiting quietly, like when you pause a game and plan to play again soon
- ✓Sounds like "DOR-mant" → imagine a door that is closed but can open anytime to start action
- ✓Remember volcanoes that look calm but can erupt later, showing hidden power
- ✓NOT like "dead" (completely finished or no life), dormant means temporary rest or pause
- ✓NOT like "active" (doing something now), dormant means waiting or paused
- ✓NOT like "finished" or "gone," dormant things can start again anytime
Try Other Words
- •Inactive: not doing anything now (Use when you want to say something is not working or moving at the moment)
- •Asleep: resting or sleeping (Use for living beings, less for plants or objects)
- •Latent: present but not active yet (Use for qualities, feelings, or powers that are hidden but can appear)
- •Quiescent: quiet and inactive (Use in scientific or formal contexts to describe rest or pause)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "dormire" meaning "to sleep" + suffix "-ant" meaning "having the quality of"
- •Etymology: comes from Latin, related to sleeping or rest
- •Historical development: originally used to describe sleep or rest, later used for things that are inactive but not dead
- •Modern usage: used in science (biology, geology) and everyday language to describe anything temporarily not active but able to become active
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be dormant for a very long time and still become active? What examples can you think of?
•How does understanding "dormant" help us think about rest and activity in nature and life?
Fill in the blanks
1.The seeds stayed dormant during winter because the cold ___ their growth.
2.When a volcano is dormant, it means it ___ erupt but is quiet now.
3.His interest in music was dormant until he met a new teacher who ___ him to practice.
4.Dormant animals often slow down their bodies to save ___ during hard times.
5.Unlike active volcanoes, dormant ones can stay quiet for many ___ before waking up.
6.The company had several dormant accounts that had not been ___ for years.
7.A dormant idea may seem forgotten but can suddenly ___ into something important.