Sekirov Dictionary

numb

/nʌm/

adjective 4
verb 4
forms 6
phrases 1

adjective4

Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.
•
Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.
- […] seeing the dog—somehow that made me feel again. I’d been too dazed, too numb, to feel the full viciousness of it. — 1966
Dumb or stupid.
•
(no longer used) Causing numbness.
- […] he did lap me Even in his own garments, and gave himself, All thin and naked to the numb cold night. — 1593

verb4

•
To cause to become numb (physically or emotionally).
- The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness.
- When I first heard the news, I was numbed by the shock.
•
To cause (a feeling) to be less intense.
- He turned to alcohol to numb his pain.
•
To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.
- […] hunger, fatigue, and despairing hopelessness had numbed his brain […] — 1912
•
To become numb (especially physically).
- […] after fumbling with numbing fingers for ten or fifteen minutes, he waved his hand with a gesture of despair […] — 1918

forms

numbed · numbing · numbeth · numbs · number · numbest

Phrases with numb

numb out
To make oneself numb, especially emotionally.

This dictionary works without the internet: on your phone · in Chrome