What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Anaesthetic vs Numb - What's the difference?

anaesthetic | numb |

As adjectives the difference between anaesthetic and numb

is that anaesthetic is of, relating to, or causing anaesthesia while numb is without the power of sensation and motion or feeling; insensible.

As a noun anaesthetic

is a substance that causes reversible loss of sensation or loss of consciousness; used to perform surgery without pain.

As a verb numb is

to cause to become numb.

anaesthetic

English

Alternative forms

* *

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, relating to, or causing anaesthesia.

    • Noun

    (wikipedia anaesthetic) (en noun)
  • A substance that causes reversible loss of sensation or loss of consciousness; used to perform surgery without pain.

    • Derived terms

    * local anaesthetic, local anesthetic * general anaesthetic, general anesthetic

    numb

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Without the power of sensation and motion or feeling; insensible.
  • Not able to react, surprised, shocked.
  • Causing numbness.
  • * Shakespeare
    • All thin and naked to the numb cold night.

    Antonyms

    * sensible, sensitive

    Derived terms

    * benumb * numbly * numbness * numbnuts

    Related terms

    * numskull

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cause to become numb.
    • The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness.

    Synonyms

    * benumb