adj
numb
nuhm
adj
1
Unable to feel physical sensation, especially because of cold or pressure on a nerve.
"Her fingers went numb in the freezing wind."
2
Unable to feel or respond emotionally, often after shock or grief.
"He felt numb for days after hearing the news."
verb
1
To make (something) unable to feel physical sensation, or to dull an emotion.
"The dentist numbed his gum before the injection."
"Years of bad news had numbed her to fresh disasters."
How to Use Numb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot able to feel anything, whether that's in your body (like a foot that's fallen asleep) or emotionally.
Memory tip
The "b" is silent — it rhymes with "gum", not with words that pronounce a final b.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
numb with shock
go numb
numb the pain
Word Forms
number comparative, numbed past tense, numbs singular, numbest superlative
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Her fingers went _____ in the freezing wind.
Etymology
From the old past form of the verb "nim" ("to take" or "to seize"); the silent "b" was added later and was never actually pronounced.