dormant

Everyday

1. Not active or growing for a time, but able to become active again, like a sleeping volcano. tree →
2. Resting, as plants and seeds do in winter or animals in hibernation. tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons, a dormant volcano has not erupted for a long time but could erupt again; an extinct one will not. In science, seeds and bulbs stay dormant until spring. Phrases: lie dormant, a dormant volcano.

Examples

• Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano. tree →
• The seeds lay dormant all winter. tree →
• The tree is dormant in the cold months. tree →
• A dormant volcano could erupt again. tree →
• Bears are not fully dormant when they hibernate. tree →
• His talent lay dormant until he tried painting. tree →

Note

Volcano words: active (erupting now or recently), dormant (sleeping), extinct (dead). Say «DOR-mant».