Meaning & Definition of word "Numb"

Numb

/nʌm/

verb:

  • 1. To make (someone or something) numb.
    • Example: The cold weather can numb your fingers if you're not careful.
  • 2. To dull the feelings of (someone); to make insensitive.
    • Example: The medication helped to numb the pain in his back.

adjective:

  • 1. Deprived of the power of feeling or movement.
    • Example: After sitting in the same position for too long, my legs felt numb.
  • 2. Lacking sensitivity or responsiveness.
    • Example: The numb response from the audience indicated that they were not engaged.
  • 3. Mentally or emotionally insensitive.
    • Example: She felt numb after hearing the tragic news.

Etymology

Middle English 'nummen', from Old English 'nymman' meaning to take or to seize.

Common Phrases and Expressions

numb with cold:

A state of having lost feeling due to low temperatures.

numb with shock:

Experiencing a state of emotional numbness in reaction to distressing news.

numb down:

To weaken or dull the senses or emotions.

Related Words

anaesthesia:

A state of controlled temporary loss of sensation or awareness.

insensitivity:

Lack of sensitivity; the quality of being unresponsive to something.

benumbed:

Unable to feel or respond, often due to cold or shock.

Slang Meanings of numb

Meaning: To be emotionally detached or indifferent.

Example Sentence: After everything that happened, I just feel so numb to everything.

Meaning: Feeling out of it or high due to substance use.

Example Sentence: I was so numb after that party; I hardly remember anything.