dull sky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dull sky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sky that lacks brightness or color, often associated with overcast or gloomy weather. Example: "As I looked out the window, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy at the sight of the dull sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Pale rays broke through a dull sky, streaking it white.

The New Yorker

Mr. Izu shot it from a distance, showing it looming against a dull sky, which seems full of blown sand.

The New York Times - Arts

That is precisely how our deepest shames hit home: not with a lightning bolt but out of a dull sky, during a day of chores.

The New Yorker

Under a dull sky, Big John dwindles into what we could, or should, have seen him as in the first place: a little creep.

The New Yorker

It's a snowy, mid-January day at Giants Stadium, where a dull sky seems shaded gray to match the blunted, ashen outer walls of the big oval stadium set in the Meadowlands parking lots.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Dull skies, a sullen ocean, squat white prison buildings — it's a landscape of emotional devastation.

The New Yorker

SAY what you will about winter, its dull skies and landscapes, your shriveled rhododendrons, stark dogwoods and all the rest.

The New York Times

Nolfi and the cinematographer, John Toll, have produced a sombrely unified vision of New York as a place of dull skies and frequent downpours, a city whose towers stick up like hostile gray stalagmites.

The New Yorker

For my own comfort, if I had to choose between last year's stifling heat and this year's cool, wet spring, I would gladly accept the recent dull skies and low temperatures.

The New York Times

How resentfully one would deduce, from a line of dull light, the leaden sky, the sodden sand, the gruel-like mess of broken brown blossoms under the lilacs, and that flat, fallow leaf, the first casualty of the season, pasted upon a wet garden bench!

The New Yorker

The most disorienting image, to me, was "Rhein," an improbably straight stretch of the Rhine River, running between precisely carved grassy banks under a dull gray sky.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dull sky" to set a specific mood or atmosphere in your writing. The phrase evokes feelings of melancholy, dreariness, or anticipation of bad weather. Use it when you want to emphasize a lack of light or vibrancy.

Common error

Avoid using "dull sky" in contexts that are meant to be cheerful or positive. The connotations of the phrase are generally negative, and its use in a bright or happy scene would likely be jarring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dull sky" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding detail and atmosphere to a scene or narrative. It's used adjectivally to modify the noun "sky", indicating its appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dull sky" effectively communicates a lack of brightness or vibrancy in the sky, setting a somber or gloomy mood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. Alternative phrases like "overcast sky" and "gray sky" offer similar descriptive power. When employing "dull sky", consider the emotional tone you wish to establish, as its connotations are generally negative. Its impact lies in its ability to evoke a specific atmospheric quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overcast sky

Focuses on the cloud cover being the primary characteristic.

Gray sky

Emphasizes the color of the sky due to cloud cover or atmospheric conditions.

Bleak sky

Highlights the cheerless and depressing nature of the sky.

Gloomy sky

Stresses the somber and melancholic atmosphere created by the sky.

Cloudy sky

A general description of a sky covered in clouds.

Lead sky

Implies a heavy, gray sky resembling the color of lead.

Drab sky

Highlights the lack of vibrancy and interest in the sky.

Sunless sky

Emphasizes the absence of the sun, contributing to the dullness.

Flat sky

Describes a sky lacking depth or visual interest.

Muddy sky

Conveys a sky with a murky or unclear appearance.

FAQs

What does "dull sky" mean?

A "dull sky" refers to a sky that lacks brightness, color, or vibrancy, often associated with overcast, cloudy, or gloomy weather conditions.

What are some synonyms for "dull sky"?

Alternatives to "dull sky" include "overcast sky", "gray sky", or "bleak sky", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "dull sky" in a sentence?

You might say, "The landscape was muted under the "dull sky", making everything appear gray and lifeless."

Is "dull sky" a common phrase?

While not as common as "blue sky" or "clear sky", "dull sky" is a recognized and understood phrase, particularly in descriptive writing and weather reports.