Lullaby — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈlə-lə-ˌbī/ lul·la·by

Meaning & Definition of Lullaby

Lullaby (noun)

  1. a soothing refrain; specifically, a song to quiet children or lull them to sleep

Lullaby (verb)

  1. to quiet with or as if with a lullaby

Lullaby (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to free from distress or disturbance

    "reclining peacefully on the deck, lullabied by the gentle motion of the ship"

    similar: becalm, calm, compose, lull, quiet, quieten (chiefly British), salve, settle, soothe, still, tranquilize
    related: appease, conciliate, hush, mollify, pacify, placate, allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, lay, mitigate, quell, relax, relieve, solace, narcotize, sedate, stupefy
    opposite: agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, key (up), perturb, upset, vex
    near: aggravate, heighten, intensify, arouse, excite, foment, incite, rouse, stir (up), work up

Lullaby (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in serenade, chorus

    similar: aria, art song, barcarole, blues, chanson, chant, chantey, chorus, croon, descant, folk song, glee, madrigal, motet, part-song, pop, rocker, round, roundelay, serenade, standard, ballad, ditty, jingle, lay, lyric, solo, song, vocal, anthem, cantata, canticle, carol, chorale, hymn, noel, psalm, spiritual, dirge, lament, requiem, threnody, hallelujah, paean, drinking song, fight song, torch song, cover, medley, remix

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lullaby

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lullaby:

Chiefly British: quieten
becalm, calm, compose, lull, quiet, salve, settle, soothe, still, tranquilize, aria, art song, barcarole, blues, chanson, chant, chantey, chorus, croon, descant, folk song, glee, madrigal, motet, part-song, pop, rocker, round, roundelay, serenade, standard, ballad, ditty, jingle, lay, lyric, solo, song, vocal, anthem

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Lullaby

Words with the opposite meaning of Lullaby:

agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, key (up), perturb, upset, vex

Related Words for Lullaby

appease, conciliate, hush, mollify, pacify, placate, allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, mitigate, quell, relax, relieve, solace, narcotize, sedate, stupefy

Near Antonyms of Lullaby

aggravate, heighten, intensify, arouse, excite, foment, incite, rouse, stir (up), work up

Word Forms of Lullaby

Inflections: lullabies, lullabied, lullabying

Origin & Etymology of Lullaby

obsolete English lulla, interjection used to lull a child (from Middle English) + bye, interjection used to lull a child, from Middle English by

First known use: 1573

Frequently Asked Questions about Lullaby

What does "Lullaby" mean?

"Lullaby" means a soothing refrain; specifically, a song to quiet children or lull them to sleep. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a soothing refrain; specifically, a song to quiet children or lull them to sleep. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lullaby"?

Other words for "Lullaby" include becalm, calm, compose, lull, quiet, quieten, salve and settle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lullaby" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lullaby"?

There are 79 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lullaby". Common alternatives include becalm, calm, compose, lull, quiet, quieten, salve, settle, soothe and still.

What is the opposite of "Lullaby"?

Antonyms of "Lullaby" include agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, key (up), perturb, upset and vex. Near antonyms include aggravate, heighten, intensify and arouse.

How do you use "Lullaby" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lullaby" in a sentence: "reclining peacefully on the deck, lullabied by the gentle motion of the ship".

Is "Lullaby" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Lullaby" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Lullaby"?

"Lullaby" is pronounced /ˈlə-lə-ˌbī/ and divided into syllables as lul·la·by.

What is the origin of the word "Lullaby"?

"Lullaby" comes from obsolete English lulla, interjection used to lull a child (from Middle English) + bye, interjection used to lull a child, from Middle English by. First known use: 1573.