dull
duhl
Dull (adj) means Boring; lacking interest or excitement. Example: “I found the film dull, so I checked my phone halfway through.”
adj
1
Boring; lacking interest or excitement.
"I found the film dull, so I checked my phone halfway through."
"Her job sounds dull, but she says she enjoys the quiet routine."
"The lecture was so dull that half the class fell asleep."
2
Not sharp; unable to cut easily.
"Please sharpen the dull scissors before you start cutting the fabric."
"A dull axe makes chopping wood harder and more dangerous."
"This knife has gone dull — it won't even slice a tomato."
3
Lacking shine or brightness; not vivid.
"The paint dried to a dull grey instead of the bright white we wanted."
"Winter light made the sea look dull and flat."
"Years of neglect had left the silverware dull and tarnished."
4
Slow to understand; not sharp-witted.
"The teacher never called the boy dull, even when he needed extra help."
"Some people think she is dull, but she simply learns at her own pace."
"He felt dull and sluggish after staying up all night."
verb
1
To make or become less sharp, bright, or intense.
"Thick fog dulled the colours of the autumn trees in the park."
"The painkillers dulled the ache in her shoulder."
"Years of use had dulled the blade's edge."
How to use dull
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLacking sharpness, shine, excitement, or quickness of mind — covers blades, colors, personalities, and pain alike.
Common pairings
dull pain
dull knife
dull weather
dull as dishwater
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Word forms
- Plural
- dulls
- Third person singular
- dulls
- Past tense
- dulled
- Comparative
- duller
- Superlative
- dullest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I found the film _____, so I checked my phone halfway through.
Etymology
From Old English dol, "foolish, stupid" — related to German toll ("crazy, wild") and ultimately from a root meaning "to dim or make obscure."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dull
See all rhymes for dull →Frequently asked questions
What does “dull” mean?
The word “dull” means boring; lacking interest or excitement. In plain terms, lacking sharpness, shine, excitement, or quickness of mind — covers blades, colors, personalities, and pain alike.
How do you pronounce “dull”?
“Dull” is pronounced duhl (/dʌl/ in IPA).
How do you use “dull” in a sentence?
Here is “dull” used in a sentence: “The lecture was so dull that half the class fell asleep.”
What is another word for “dull”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dull” include dullen.
What part of speech is “dull”?
Depending on how it is used, “dull” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “dull” come from?
The word “dull” comes from Old English. From Old English dol, "foolish, stupid" — related to German toll ("crazy, wild") and ultimately from a root meaning "to dim or make obscure.".
Is “dull” a common word?
“Dull” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dull” have?
“Dull” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: boring; lacking interest or excitement.
What is the difference between 'dull' and 'boring'?
Both can describe something that lacks interest or excitement, and in that sense they overlap. 'Dull' is slightly milder and can also mean lacking brightness or sharpness, while 'boring' refers only to a lack of interest. A dull knife or a dull colour makes sense, but a 'boring knife' does not.
What is the difference between 'dull' and 'blunt'?
When describing a blade, 'dull' and 'blunt' both mean not sharp and unable to cut easily. 'Blunt' is the more common word for this in British English, while 'dull' is often preferred in American English. 'Dull' also carries several other meanings that 'blunt' does not.
What is the opposite of 'dull'?
The opposite of 'dull' depends on the meaning. For something boring, the opposite is 'interesting' or 'exciting'; for a blade, it is 'sharp'; for a colour or surface, it is 'bright' or 'vivid'; and for a slow-witted person, it is 'sharp' or 'quick'.
Can 'dull' describe the weather?
Yes. 'Dull' is commonly used to describe grey, overcast weather that lacks brightness, as in 'a dull, cloudy day'. This draws on the sense of dull meaning lacking shine or vividness.
