slumber
SLUM-ber
/ˈslʌmbər/
To sleep, especially peacefully or deeply; (as a noun) a quiet, peaceful sleep.
Slumber is highly literary and evokes images of peaceful, undisturbed, and beautiful rest, unlike the clinical or mundane word 'sleep'.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Middle English 'slumeren', which was a frequentative verb form of 'slumen' (to doze). The addition of the '-er' suffix in Middle English implied a repetitive, gentle action—literally 'to keep on dozing gently'. Over time, the spelling inserted a 'b' for easier pronunciation, transforming 'slumer' into 'slumber'.
Word relationships
- sleep: 'Sleep' is the standard, neutral term for the biological state, whereas 'slumber' is poetic and emphasizes peace.
- repose: 'Repose' is a formal state of resting or lying down, which may or may not involve actual sleep.
- wakefulness: 'Wakefulness' is the state of being awake, often used in contrast to deep rest.
Commonly confused with
- nap: A 'nap' is a short, light sleep during the day, while 'slumber' implies a deep, prolonged, and peaceful sleep.
Word family
- slumberous (adjective): Inducing sleep or marked by sleepiness.
- slumberer (noun): A person who is sleeping.
Collocations
- deep slumber
- peaceful slumber
- disturb one's slumber
Example sentences
- "The princess fell into a deep slumber that lasted for a hundred years." A classic fairy tale description.
- "I do not doubt that he is in a deep slumber, from which he will not wake for hours." From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. (Frankenstein by Mary Shelley)
Memory hook
Think of falling into a deep sleep in a quiet, cozy 'slum-ber' (slum-bar) where no noise can reach you. Slumber is a peaceful number of hours spent asleep.
When not to use
Avoid using 'slumber' in casual, everyday conversations (e.g., 'I need to get some slumber') as it sounds overly dramatic or archaic.
Fun facts
- The word 'slumber party' is a common American term for a children's sleepover, ironically a setting where very little actual slumber takes place.
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