torpor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, literary, technical (biology)
Quick answer
What does “torpor” mean?
A state of physical or mental inactivity, lethargy, or sluggishness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state of physical or mental inactivity, lethargy, or sluggishness.
In zoology/biology: a state of greatly reduced metabolic activity and lowered body temperature, such as hibernation or estivation, entered by some animals to conserve energy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Same in both varieties: negative when describing people (laziness, dullness); neutral/technical in biological contexts.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in formal and academic contexts in both BrE and AmE. Slightly more likely in AmE due to more common usage in psychological/self-help contexts (e.g., 'breaking out of your torpor').
Grammar
How to Use “torpor” in a Sentence
Noun + verb: The torpor lifted.Verb + torpor: to fall/sink into torporAdjective + torpor: deep/lethargic/mental torporVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “torpor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form. 'Torpefy' is obsolete.)
American English
- (No standard verb form. The related adjective is 'torpid'.)
adverb
British English
- (No common adverb form. 'Torpidly' is extremely rare and unnatural.)
American English
- (No common adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- The torpid animal barely responded to touch.
- After lunch, a torpid feeling settled over the office.
American English
- The torpid sloth hung motionless from the branch.
- The hot weather made everyone feel torpid.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a sluggish market or lack of innovation: 'The company sank into a creative torpor.'
Academic
Common in literary criticism, history, psychology, and biology: 'The novel captures the moral torpor of the postwar era.'
Everyday
Rare; used for dramatic effect to describe extreme laziness or inactivity: 'I spent Sunday in a complete torpor.'
Technical
Specific meaning in zoology/physiology for a state of reduced metabolic rate.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “torpor”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈtɒrpɔːr/. The stress is on the first syllable, and the second is a schwa.
- Confusing with 'stupor' (more often drug/alcohol induced).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'he had a torpor' is less common than 'he was in a torpor').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Boredom is a feeling of disinterest. Torpor is a physical or mental state of inactivity and sluggishness that may result from, but is not identical to, boredom.
Lethargy is general tiredness/lack of energy. Torpor is a deeper, more profound inactivity. Stupor suggests a dazed or unconscious state, often from illness or substance use. Torpor can be a prolonged, functional low-energy state.
Rarely. In biological contexts, it's a neutral, adaptive survival strategy. When describing human behaviour, it is almost always negative, implying a problematic lack of energy or engagement.
Not in modern use. The adjective is 'torpid'. The obsolete verb 'torpefy' (to make numb or torpid) exists but is not used. You would use phrases like 'fall into torpor' or 'induce torpor'.
A state of physical or mental inactivity, lethargy, or sluggishness.
Torpor is usually formal, academic, literary, technical (biology) in register.
Torpor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɔːpə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɔːrpər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shake off the torpor”
- “a torpor of indecision”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "TORpid PORpoise" – a porpoise that is torpid (sluggish) is in a state of torpor.
Conceptual Metaphor
TORPOR IS A HEAVY BLANKET / TORPOR IS COLD / TORPOR IS A TRANCE STATE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'torpor' CORRECTLY?