DORMANT
| Pronunciation (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does dormant mean?
• DORMANT (adjective)
The adjective DORMANT has 4 senses:
1. of e.g. volcanos; not erupting and not extinct
2. lying with head on paws as if sleeping
3. in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
4. inactive but capable of becoming active
Familiarity information: DORMANT used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• DORMANT (adjective)
Meaning:
Of e.g. volcanos; not erupting and not extinct
Synonyms:
dormant; inactive
Context example:
a dormant volcano
Similar:
quiescent (being quiet or still or inactive)
Attribute:
dormancy; quiescence; quiescency (a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction)
Antonym:
active ((of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt)
Meaning:
Lying with head on paws as if sleeping
Synonyms:
sleeping; dormant
Similar:
unerect (not upright in position or posture)
Domain category:
heraldry (the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies)
Meaning:
In a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
Synonyms:
hibernating; torpid; dormant
Context examples:
dormant buds / a hibernating bear / torpid frogs
Similar:
asleep (in a state of sleep)
Domain category:
biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)
Meaning:
Inactive but capable of becoming active
Context example:
her feelings of affection are dormant but easily awakened
Similar:
inactive (not active physically or mentally)
