numbness

Everyday

1. Numbness is the state of not being able to feel something in a part of your body, for example after cold or an injection. tree →
2. Numbness can also mean feeling no emotions for a while, often after shock or sad news. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons numbness is a symptom: cold, pressure or a dentist's injection can stop nerves sending messages. In safety, numbness from cold can be a sign of frostbite, and sudden numbness can be a sign to get help quickly. In stories, numbness after bad news shows a character is in shock. Phrases: "numbness in my fingers", "a feeling of numbness", "pins and needles".

Examples

• After the dentist's injection, the numbness in my lip lasted two hours. tree →
• I felt numbness in my toes after playing in the snow. tree →
• Sitting cross-legged too long caused numbness in my leg. tree →
• When she heard Grandad had passed away, she felt a strange numbness. tree →
• The numbness wore off and then my arm started to tingle. tree →
• Doctors ask about numbness to check if nerves are hurt. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Adjective: numb (the b is silent: "num"). So "numbness" is said NUM-ness. Numbness is not the same as pain; often when numbness wears off, you feel "pins and needles". Sudden numbness on one side of the face or body in an adult is an emergency; call for help.