English Explanatory Dictionary

numb

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.
  2. Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.
  3. Dumb or stupid.
  4. Causing numbness.
verb
  1. To cause to become numb (physically or emotionally).
  2. To cause (a feeling) to be less intense.
  3. To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.
  4. To become numb (especially physically).

Pronunciation

nŭm /nʌm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-numb.wav

Word forms

numb number numbest numbs numbing numbed

Etymology

From the past participle of nim (“to take”). Compare German benommen (“dazed, numb”) and Old Norse numinn. The final ⟨b⟩ is a later addition; it was never pronounced, and did not appear in the original word.

Synonyms

deadened insensible nerveless stunned benumb dull

Antonyms

sensible sensitive

Related words

numskull

Derived words

benumb brain-numbing numb-brained numbfish numb-handed numbhead numbish numbly numbness numbnuts numbskull numbskulled numbwit numby renumb unnumb mind-numbing numb out

Translations

Chinese Mandarin: 麻木不仁的 Czech: ochromený Finnish: lamaantunut Finnish: turta German: gefühllos German: unempfindlich Māori: rōrā Māori: paraheahea Portuguese: entorpecido Portuguese: dormente Turkish: duygusuz Turkish: hissiz Vietnamese: vô cảm Vietnamese: chết lặng Finnish: turruttaa Finnish: puutua Finnish: turtua Finnish: kohmettua Spanish: embotar Spanish: entorpecer Spanish: entumecerse Spanish: entumirse Spanish: aterirse Spanish: aterecerse Spanish: arrecirse Russian: неме́ть Tamil: மர
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