lullaby
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈlʌləbaɪ/
KK: /ˈlʌləˌbaɪ/
noun
Definition
A gentle song that is sung to help a child fall asleep.
Example
She sang a sweet lullaby to her baby to help him sleep.
Conversation
Do you remember the lullaby your mom used to sing to you?
Of course! It always made me feel so calm and sleepy.
I wish I had a sweet lullaby like that for my kids.
You could always make one up; kids love original songs!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
melody
hymn
ditty
Antonyms
noise
clamor
disturbance
transitive verb
Definition
To calm someone, usually a baby, by singing a soft song or lullaby.
Example
She sang a gentle lullaby to help the baby fall asleep.
Tense Forms
Past: lullabied
Past Participle: lullabied
Conversation
I heard you sang a lullaby to your baby last night.
Yeah, it really helped her fall asleep peacefully.
That’s so sweet! I wish I could lullaby my pets to sleep like that.
Root Explanation
Lullaby → The word originates from the Middle English 'lullay' (a soothing song) and 'bye' (a term of endearment). It refers to a soothing song sung to lull a child to sleep.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gentle song that helps a child fall asleep — that's what a lullaby is, combining the soothing sound of 'lullay' with a comforting 'bye'.
Visually Confused Words
lulab