adjective

humdrum

HUHMD-ruhm

Humdrum (adjective) means Dull, monotonous, and lacking excitement. Example: “He was tired of his humdrum office job.”

adjective

Dull, monotonous, and lacking excitement.

"He was tired of his humdrum office job."

"Life in the small town felt humdrum after living in the city."

How to use humdrum

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBoring and repetitive, with nothing exciting happening.

Common pairings

humdrum routine humdrum life humdrum existence

more humdrum comparative, humdrums plural, most humdrum superlative

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He was tired of his _____ office job.

Likely a rhyming repetition based on hum, dating to the 1500s.

· First attested 1500

Class of 1500 humdrum joined the language around 1500.

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What does “humdrum” mean?

The word “humdrum” means dull, monotonous, and lacking excitement. In plain terms, boring and repetitive, with nothing exciting happening.

How do you pronounce “humdrum”?

“Humdrum” is pronounced HUHMD-ruhm (/ˈhʌmdɹʌm/ in IPA).

How do you use “humdrum” in a sentence?

Here is “humdrum” used in a sentence: “He was tired of his humdrum office job.”

What part of speech is “humdrum”?

“Humdrum” is an adjective.

Where does the word “humdrum” come from?

The word “humdrum” dates back to around 1500. Likely a rhyming repetition based on hum, dating to the 1500s.