bored tone

USAGE SUMMARY

"bored tone" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can refer to a lack of enthusiasm, disinterest, etc. in someone's voice or manner of speaking. For example: "He asked the question in a bored tone, as though he already knew the answer and was just waiting for her to confirm it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The woman's voice replies, in a somewhat bored tone, "You have to download the PDF from the Web site".

The New York Times

"If you want to take a picture of me one more time, I'm going to lock your ass up," he says, in an almost bored tone.

The New Yorker

"Anyone doing work". When I asked if sales of them went up year on year, he said: "Yeah," in the bored tone of somebody wondering when he would finally be asked an interesting question.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And I think, urban, well educated, between 28 and 45, if you want this classical answer, which is really nothing," she waves her hands dismissively and affects a bored tone.

The Guardian - Business

Changing the subject in a bored tone of voice is rude.

WikiHow

"I don't know," she said, her bored tone suggesting that she was as untroubled by her ignorance as I was exasperated with it.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But Humph delivered those gags with a bored obliviousness; not only did the doubles entendres appear lost on him, his world-weary tone suggested that he couldn't be bothered to fathom the jokes anyway.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His voice had the bored, blasé tone of someone stating the patently obvious.

The New York Times - Food

A scientist, presenting her findings on snout flu, spoke with the bored, clipped tone of every ponytailed researcher on Japanese daytime TV.

The New Yorker

Their bored or frustrated tone of voice says it all.

The Guardian

They spoke in the bored, slightly sardonic tone common among police officers, as if they were reviewing a burglar's jimmying techniques.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "bored tone" sparingly to avoid overusing it, as it can become repetitive. Instead, explore other descriptive phrases to communicate apathy or disinterest.

Common error

Avoid using "bored tone" when you intend to convey sarcasm. While both can indicate disinterest, sarcasm involves a sharper, often ironic or mocking intent, whereas a "bored tone" primarily indicates apathy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bored tone" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase. It modifies a noun (e.g., 'voice', 'delivery') to indicate a specific quality or characteristic associated with it, conveying a lack of enthusiasm or interest as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bored tone" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to depict a lack of enthusiasm in one's voice. According to Ludwig, this phrase effectively communicates disinterest and is often found in contexts such as news and media, as well as in informal settings like wikis. While it is important to avoid confusing this with sarcasm, using "bored tone" correctly enriches character development and dialogue. Alternative phrases, such as "apathetic voice" or "indifferent tone", can be used to add variety. Ultimately, using "bored tone" judiciously allows writers to convey apathy in a subtle and compelling manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indifferent tone

Highlights the lack of concern or interest in the voice.

apathetic voice

Focuses on the lack of emotion conveyed through speech.

disinterested inflection

Highlights the absence of engagement or curiosity in the speaker's intonation.

monotonous voice

Points to the unchanging pitch and rhythm of the voice, suggesting boredom.

expressionless delivery

Focuses on the absence of emotion conveyed through vocal expression.

unenthusiastic manner

Describes the overall lack of excitement or passion in the delivery.

listless speech

Describes a sluggish and unenergetic manner of speaking.

lackluster delivery

Emphasizes the uninspired and unenthusiastic manner of speaking.

blasé attitude in voice

Emphasizes a nonchalant and unimpressed demeanor reflected in the voice.

weary tone

Suggests the speaker is tired and lacks energy, affecting their voice.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "bored tone" in a sentence?

Use "bored tone" to describe a speaker's voice when they are feeling uninterested or apathetic. For example, "He answered the question in a "bored tone", barely looking up from his phone".

What are some alternative ways to describe a "bored tone"?

You can use alternatives such as "apathetic voice", "indifferent tone", or "lackluster delivery" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "bored tone" in formal writing?

Yes, "bored tone" is grammatically correct and can be used in both formal and informal writing to accurately describe someone's manner of speaking.

What's the difference between a "bored tone" and a "tired tone"?

A "bored tone" indicates a lack of interest or engagement, while a "tired tone" suggests exhaustion or fatigue. Though they might sound similar, the underlying emotions are different.