NUMB

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does numb mean? 

• NUMB (adjective)
  The adjective NUMB has 3 senses:

1. lacking sensation

2. (followed by 'to') not showing human feeling or sensitivity; unresponsive

3. so frightened as to be unable to move; stunned or paralyzed with terror; petrified

  Familiarity information: NUMB used as an adjective is uncommon.

• NUMB (verb)
  The verb NUMB has 1 sense:

1. make numb or insensitive

  Familiarity information: NUMB used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NUMB (adjective)

Comparative: number   
Superlative: numbest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking sensation

Synonyms:

asleep; benumbed; numb

Context example:

numb with cold

Similar:

insensible (incapable of physical sensation)

Derivation:

numbness (partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body; a symptom of nerve damage or dysfunction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(followed by 'to') not showing human feeling or sensitivity; unresponsive

Synonyms:

dead; numb

Context example:

numb to the cries for mercy

Similar:

insensitive (deficient in human sensibility; not mentally or morally sensitive)

Derivation:

numbness (the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally)

Sense 3

Meaning:

So frightened as to be unable to move; stunned or paralyzed with terror; petrified

Context example:

too numb with fear to move

Similar:

afraid (filled with fear or apprehension)

• NUMB (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they numb    ... he / she / it numbs   
Past simple: numbed   
Past participle: numbed   
-ing form: numbing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make numb or insensitive

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

benumb; blunt; dull; numb

Context example:

The shock numbed her senses

Hypernyms (to "numb" is one way to...):

desensitise; desensitize (cause not to be sensitive)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

The bad news will numb him
The performance is likely to numb Sue

 Context examples 

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Auditory Verbal Learning Test Version A (ADNI-AVLT Version A) The number of words recalled from List A, 30 Minute Delay recall.

(ADNI AVLT - List A 30 Min Delay Recall Total, NCI Thesaurus)

They were in all not above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse; but it was impossible for me to compute their number, considering the space of ground they took up.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Auditory Verbal Learning Test Version A - The number of words recalled from List A, 30 Minute Delay recall.

(ADNI AVLT - List A 30 Min Delay Recall Total, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Auditory Verbal Learning Test Version A (ADNI-AVLT Version A) The number of intrusions while recalling List A, first attempt.

(ADNI AVLT - List A Intrusions 1, NCI Thesaurus)

A number of lamps shining through tinted shades bathed the whole great room before us in a ruddy radiance.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My left arm was numb, as though paralysed, and days passed before I could use it, while weeks went by before the last stiffness and pain went out of it.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

And you can't remember the number of the house?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Ad5CMV-p53 induces tumor cells that have been transfected with the vector to produce wild-type p53, a tumor suppressor gene that is deleted or mutated in a significant number of cancers.

(Ad5CMV-p53 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

The batteries are able to recharge by electrochemically reinserting a large number of electrons.

(New, high-energy rechargeable batteries, NSF)

Mid-way between small and large in number, quantity, magnitude or extent.

(Medium, NCI Thesaurus)