dull

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dull" is correct and usable in written English.
It can refer to something or someone that is not very interesting, exciting, or stimulating, or an object that has little or no shine. For example, "The monotony of the day made me feel dull and drained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How dull.

The New York Times

However we diverge politically, I have enough faith in Eastwood's artistry and intellect to trust that he is not a black-and-white ideologue – or, at least, that he knows that the limitations of such a worldview would make for an extremely dull movie.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a temptation to go for the brightly coloured, but we tried to use dull ones.

The Guardian - Film

There is nothing wrong with a hint of glamour in this dull and increasingly prudish world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I was also beginning to remember why I'd resisted the idea of meditation for so many years: it was difficult, dull and uncomfortable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Europa League-chasing Lazio appeared happy enough to cling onto a slender lead after Stefan Radu added some excitement to a dull first half with a rare goal.

The Guardian - Sport

We were downstairs having breakfast - Golden Grahams quite possibly - (don't get me started on the British and the breakfast cereal) when a dull thud on the hall floor announced the arrival of the hamster who had taken his new-found freedoms too far and hurled himself off the landing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Again, my first instinct is that they must have been rubbernecking, the sordid allegations having made HRH a rather grim sort of draw, or at the very least not as ferociously dull and pointless as the rest of the apres-ski programme.

The Guardian - Opinion

Vodafone, having sold its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless for a princely sum, is closer to demonstrating that it is not a dull utility standing still.

The Guardian - Business

"It would be dull if we were just another tech business based in a shoebox in Shoreditch".

The Guardian

Rachel Billington never met her grandfather Tom, but family history had him down as rather dull.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "dull", consider adding specific details about why it's dull. For example, instead of saying "The meeting was dull", try "The meeting was dull because it lacked clear objectives and active participation."

Common error

Avoid using "dull" as a catch-all term for anything you find uninteresting. Vary your vocabulary with more precise words like "uninspired", "monotonous", or "lackluster" to convey nuances of meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dull" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a lack of sharpness, brightness, or interest. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile use across different contexts, as seen in examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Film

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "dull" is a versatile adjective frequently employed across diverse contexts to signify a lack of sharpness, brightness, or interest. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, as shown by the several Ludwig examples, particularly in News & Media and Lifestyle. To enhance writing, aim to provide specifics on what renders something as "dull" rather than relying solely on generic usage. Instead of saying "The event was dull", specify why, for example, "The event was dull due to the speaker's monotonous tone". Diversify vocabulary with synonyms such as ""uninteresting"", "tedious", or "lackluster" to better reflect the intended meaning. Finally, remember that this adjective is neutral and can fit both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boring

A general term for something that doesn't evoke interest.

uninteresting

Focuses on the lack of ability to capture or hold one's attention.

lackluster

Specifically describes a lack of vitality or shine.

uninspired

Implies a lack of creativity or enthusiasm.

tedious

Emphasizes the quality of being long and tiresome.

monotonous

Highlights the lack of variety and the repetitive nature.

lifeless

Emphasizes a lack of energy or vitality.

stale

Suggests something has lost its freshness or appeal.

banal

Refers to something predictable, cliché, and lacking originality.

vapid

Indicates a lack of substance or intelligence.

FAQs

How to use "dull" in a sentence?

You can use "dull" to describe something uninteresting, like "The lecture was "uninteresting" and I struggled to stay awake." It can also describe a lack of sharpness, like "This knife is "not sharp" anymore, it's quite dull."

What can I say instead of "dull"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "boring", "tedious", "lackluster", or "uninspired".

Is it correct to say "a dull moment"?

Yes, the expression "a dull moment" is a common idiom that means a time when nothing interesting or exciting is happening. For example, "There's never "a boring moment" when she's around."

What's the difference between "dull" and "boring"?

"Dull" often suggests a lack of brightness, interest, or excitement, while "boring" implies causing weariness because of being repetitive or lacking interest. Something "uninteresting" can be both dull and boring, but a dull color, for example, wouldn't typically be described as boring.