adj
dreary
DREER-ree
Dreary (adj) means Dull, gloomy, and depressing. Example: “It was a dreary, rain-soaked afternoon.”
adj
1
Dull, gloomy, and depressing.
"It was a dreary, rain-soaked afternoon."
"The office had a dreary grey carpet and no windows."
How to use dreary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGloomy, drab, and lacking any cheer — often used for weather or dull surroundings.
Common pairings
a dreary day
dreary weather
dreary routine
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Word forms
- Plural
- drearies
- Comparative
- drearier, more dreary
- Superlative
- dreariest, most dreary
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was a _____, rain-soaked afternoon.
Etymology
From Old English drēoriġ, "sad" or "bloody," from a root meaning "to break or crumble" — related to the idea of being worn down by grief.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dreary
See all rhymes for dreary →Frequently asked questions
What does “dreary” mean?
The word “dreary” means dull, gloomy, and depressing. In plain terms, gloomy, drab, and lacking any cheer — often used for weather or dull surroundings.
How do you pronounce “dreary”?
“Dreary” is pronounced DREER-ree (/ˈdɹɪɚi/ in IPA).
How do you use “dreary” in a sentence?
Here is “dreary” used in a sentence: “It was a dreary, rain-soaked afternoon.”
What part of speech is “dreary”?
“Dreary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dreary” come from?
The word “dreary” comes from Old English. From Old English drēoriġ, "sad" or "bloody," from a root meaning "to break or crumble" — related to the idea of being worn down by grief.
