Word of the Day: DORMANT

Pronunciation: UK /ˈdɔːmənt/
US /ˈdɔːrmənt/

Meaning

Dormant means inactive or not growing at the moment, but still capable of becoming active again later. It can describe plants, volcanoes, businesses, bank accounts, feelings and even skills that have not been used for a long time.

For example, a dormant volcano is not currently erupting, but it is not considered extinct.

Examples for daily usage

  • The seeds remain dormant through the winter and begin to grow when conditions improve.
  • After years away from painting, she decided to revive her dormant artistic skills.
  • The company reopened a dormant account that had not been used for several years.

Origin and history

The word dormant entered English in the late 14th century through Old French dormant, meaning “sleeping”. It comes from dormir, meaning “to sleep”, which traces back to the Latin dormire, also meaning “to sleep”.

The idea of being inactive or at rest developed over time. By the 17th century, dormant was being used in the broader sense of something that was inactive but still existed.

Also Read: Word of the Day, October 09: ‘Codswallop’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

The word is often used to describe something that is temporarily inactive rather than permanently gone.

In nature, plants may become dormant during unfavourable seasons, slowing or stopping visible growth until conditions become suitable again.

The word is also common in everyday and professional language. A dormant bank account has not been used for a period of time, while a dormant project or movement has stopped progressing but could become active again.

Interesting facts

Dormancy is the noun form of dormant. It describes the state or period of inactivity.

In heraldry, the word can describe an animal shown lying down in a sleeping position, such as a lion dormant.

Dormant does not mean extinct. A dormant volcano may erupt again, while an extinct volcano is not expected to erupt again, although classifications can involve uncertainty.

Examples from literature

  • “It is by lying dormant a long time, or being at first very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people.”— A Letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol, Edmund Burke

Synonyms

  • Inactive
  • Sleeping
  • Latent
  • Inoperative
  • Quiescent
  • Suspended

Antonyms

  • Active
  • Awake
  • Functioning
  • Operating
  • Growing
  • Alert

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