English Reference
Noun

lullaby

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US /ˈɫəɫəˌbaɪ/ UK /lˈʌləbˌaɪ/ lul·la·by UK spelling lullabied, lullabies, lullabying Music

n.a quiet, gentle song that you sing to a baby to help them fall asleep. It usually has a slow and steady rhythm.

n.a soothing song or piece of music intended to induce sleep, typically performed for children. Often characterized by a repetitive, triple-meter rhythm that mimics the motion of rocking.


SIMPLE

She sang a soft lullaby to the baby.

CONTEXTUAL

The mother hummed a traditional lullaby until her toddler finally drifted off to sleep.

COMPLEX

While many cultures use the lullaby as a functional tool for sleep, composers like Brahms elevated the form into a sophisticated genre of classical piano music.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated