Word: lull (noun / verb)

Associations

The word "lull" can be both a noun and a verb. It means a short period of calm or quiet, especially after noise or activity. It can also mean to make someone feel calm or sleepy.

As a noun:

• "There was a lull in the conversation." — A quiet pause during talking.
• "The storm had a brief lull before it got worse." — A short calm time during bad weather.
• "During the lull in traffic, I crossed the street." — A moment when traffic is quiet.

As a verb:

• "The mother lulled the baby to sleep." — She made the baby calm or sleepy.
• "The music lulled me into a relaxed state." — The music made me feel calm.
• "The calm sea lulled the sailors into a false sense of security." — Made them feel safe.

Synonym: pause (noun)

• "Pause" means a temporary stop but doesn't always mean calm or quiet like "lull." A lull often implies calmness or quietness during the pause.

Substitution

Instead of "lull" you can use:

• pause (for a break or stop)
• calm (for quietness)
• quiet spell (for a short quiet period)
• soothe (as a verb, to calm someone) Changing the word changes the feeling: "pause" is neutral, "lull" suggests peaceful quiet.

Deconstruction

The word "lull" comes from the Middle English "lullen," which means "to soothe or calm." It imitates the soft sound people make to calm babies ("lu-lu"). It is a simple, short word that sounds soft, matching its meaning of calm or quiet.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when there was a lull in your day? What happened during that quiet moment?
• How would you use "lull" to describe a break in noisy activity?
• Have you ever tried to lull someone to sleep? What did you do?