lullaby
LULL-uh-by
/ˈlʌləbaɪ/
A quiet, gentle song sung to send a child to sleep.
A lullaby is specifically designed for sleep induction, characterized by a repetitive, rocking rhythm.
The story behind the word. The word lullaby is a beautiful piece of onomatopoeia. It combines the Middle English verb 'lullen' (meaning 'to lull or quieten,' which mimics the sound 'lu-lu' made when soothing a baby) with 'by,' a common nursery suffix that may have meant 'near' or was simply a comforting nonsense sound.
Word relationships
- cradle song: Cradle song is a literal translation of the German 'Wiegenlied' and is used more in classical music contexts, whereas lullaby is the common English term.
- serenade: A serenade is a song sung to express love or admiration, typically performed outdoors at night for an adult, while a lullaby is for soothing a child to sleep.
- anthem: An anthem is a rousing, uplifting song of praise or loyalty, designed to energize rather than soothe.
Commonly confused with
- dirge: A dirge is a mournful song for the dead, while a lullaby is a peaceful song for a sleeping child.
Word family
- lullabies (noun): Plural form of lullaby.
Collocations
- sing a lullaby
- soothing lullaby
- traditional lullaby
Example sentences
- "She sang a traditional Irish lullaby, her voice dropping to a whisper as the baby's eyelids grew heavy." A mother putting her infant to sleep.
- "The gentle patter of rain against the windowpane acted as a natural lullaby, sending everyone in the house into a deep sleep." Describing the soothing sounds of nature.
Memory hook
You 'lull' a baby to sleep 'by' singing a lullaby. Lull the baby by singing a song.
When not to use
Do not use lullaby to describe any soft song unless it is specifically intended for putting someone (usually a child) to sleep.
Fun facts
- Johannes Brahms's famous 'Lullaby' (Wiegenlied) was written for a childhood friend, Bertha Faber, to celebrate the birth of her second son.
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