bore
baw
Bore (verb) means to make someone feel uninterested and tired through dullness. Example: “I don't want to bore you with the details of my holiday.”
verb
1
To make someone feel uninterested and tired through dullness.
"I don't want to bore you with the details of my holiday."
"Films with no real plot tend to bore me after the first half hour."
"The long lecture bored most of the students within ten minutes."
2
To drill a hole through something.
"The dentist bored a tiny hole into the tooth before filling it."
"They bored through the thick wall to fit a new pipe."
"Workers bored a tunnel straight through the mountain."
noun
1
A person or thing that is dull and uninteresting.
"Nobody wanted to sit next to the office bore at lunch."
"Don't be such a bore and come out with us tonight!"
"He's a bit of a bore at parties — always talking about spreadsheets."
2
The inner diameter of a tube or gun barrel.
"The rifle has a slightly wider bore than the older model."
How to use bore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo drill a hole, or to make someone feel dull and tired — also, a dull person, or the width of a hole/barrel.
Common mistake
Note "bore" is also the past tense of the verb "bear" (as in "she bore the weight") — a completely different word with the same spelling.
Common pairings
bore a hole
a crashing bore
bore someone to tears
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Word forms
- Plural
- bores
- Third person singular
- bores
- Past tense
- bored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I don't want to _____ you with the details of my holiday.
Etymology
From Old English "borian" ("to pierce"), related to Latin words for piercing or striking; the "dull person" sense likely grew from the idea of wearing someone down, as if drilling into them.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for bore
See all rhymes for bore →Frequently asked questions
What does “bore” mean?
The word “bore” means to make someone feel uninterested and tired through dullness. In plain terms, to drill a hole, or to make someone feel dull and tired — also, a dull person, or the width of a hole/barrel.
How do you pronounce “bore”?
“Bore” is pronounced baw (/boɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bore” in a sentence?
Here is “bore” used in a sentence: “The long lecture bored most of the students within ten minutes.”
What is another word for “bore”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bore” include banality, snooze and snoozer.
What is the opposite of “bore”?
The opposite of “bore” — its antonyms — are interest and thrillsville.
What part of speech is “bore”?
Depending on how it is used, “bore” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bore” come from?
The word “bore” comes from Latin. From Old English "borian" ("to pierce"), related to Latin words for piercing or striking; the "dull person" sense likely grew from the idea of wearing someone down, as if drilling into them.
Is “bore” a common word?
“Bore” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between bore and boar?
Bore and boar sound alike but differ in meaning. A bore is a dull, uninteresting person or thing, and to bore is to make someone feel uninterested or to drill a hole; a boar is a wild or male pig.
What is the difference between saying 'I am bored' and 'I am boring'?
"I am bored" means you feel uninterested because something is dull. "I am boring" means you are the dull thing that makes other people feel uninterested, so the two should never be swapped when describing your own feelings.
Is 'bore' the past tense of 'bear'?
Yes. As well as meaning to make someone uninterested or to drill a hole, "bore" is the past tense of the verb "bear," as in "she bore the weight" or "he bore the news calmly." Context makes clear which sense is meant.
