numb

adjective, verb

Pronunciation

• IPA: /nʌm/
• American: [nuhm]

Origin

From Old English numen, past participle of niman meaning "to take." Related to German nehmen "to take."

Meanings

1. (adj) Deprived of physical sensation or ability to feel, especially due to cold or anesthesia

   • "My fingers were numb from the freezing weather."

2. (adj) Emotionally deadened or unresponsive

   • "She felt numb with grief after hearing the news."

3. (v) To cause loss of sensation or feeling

   • "The cold weather numbed his toes."

Related Words

• Forms:

  • numbed (past tense)
  • numbing (present participle)
  • numbness (noun)
  • numbly (adverb)

• Synonyms:

  • insensitive
  • deadened
  • benumbed
  • desensitized
  • unfeeling
  • paralyzed

Memory Tricks

1. Think "numb = no thumb feeling" - like when your thumb loses sensation
2. Associate with "dumb" - both words rhyme and can indicate a lack of response (dumb = unable to speak, numb = unable to feel)

Usage Notes

Often used in phrases like:

• "numb with cold"
• "emotionally numb"
• "numb to pain"
• "numb from shock"