tedious

USAGE SUMMARY

'tedious' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is boring, long, or dull. For example, "She found the task tedious, so she decided to take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Politics

Arts

Film

TV & Radio

Tech

Travel

Books

Lifestyle

World

Environment

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Adrian Chiles was bad enough for Colombia-Uruguay so this might get tedious quickly (more so than usual).

The Guardian - Sport

At HangarBicocca, Double Bind has been recreated without having to disguise intrusive elements of the building's architecture or signage, or find ways of getting around tedious health and safety regulations.

The Guardian - Arts

But no, it was back to the tedious soundbites of "Labour caused all the trouble".

The Guardian

We on the other side need this sentiment too, because the flaccid no campaign has focused on the dry, the tedious; the worst-case scenarios, and the scaremongering.

The Guardian

570 minutes later, Luis Suárez got his first league goal for Barcelona as they beat Córdoba 5-0 in a game that one paper described as "tedious".

The Guardian - Sport

One compared their operations to the famously tedious stonewall tactics of the Arsenal team 20 years ago.

The Guardian

We can all look forward to a term that will manage to be complex, destructive and dangerously tedious.

The Guardian - Opinion

We muddled our priorities with the tuition fees cut … our priority must be early years And it is my kids, and your kids, who will suffer from this tedious, myopic and transactional schools policy.

The Guardian

Sorrento is built along the top of a high cliff, and getting up and down to the seafront can be a tiring and tedious trek.

The Guardian - Travel

As a woman, she has been forced to embody a succession of tedious female stereotypes, but she twists this oppressive force in order to get her own way".

The Guardian - Film

Broadchurch's audience on Monday night was always going to be huge – the first series was such a sensation, and the early January TV schedules such a tedious pile of nothing, that people would have tuned in regardless.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an activity or task, use "tedious" to emphasize not just the lack of interest, but also the feeling of mental exhaustion it induces. It adds a stronger sense of burden than simply calling something "boring".

Common error

While "tedious" is a perfectly acceptable word, repeatedly using it in formal writing can make your prose sound monotonous. Diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "monotonous", "wearisome", or "dull" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "tedious" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating that they are dull, monotonous, and cause weariness. This is supported by Ludwig and numerous examples where "tedious" modifies nouns like "task", "process", and "job".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

8%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Politics

5%

Arts

3%

Film

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tedious" is an adjective used to describe something boring, monotonous, and wearisome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples showcasing its usage in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While appropriate for formal writing, it's advisable to vary your word choice to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives like "monotonous", "dull", or "wearisome" to enhance clarity and engagement. When using "tedious", emphasize the mental exhaustion induced by the subject, making your writing more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boring

A general term for something that lacks interest or excitement.

uninteresting

Directly states the lack of interest in something.

dull

Suggests a lack of brightness, interest, or excitement.

unexciting

Expresses the absence of thrill or enthusiasm.

monotonous

This term emphasizes the repetitive and unchanging nature of something that causes boredom.

tiresome

Similar to wearisome, suggesting a loss of energy and enthusiasm.

wearisome

Implies that something is causing fatigue or exhaustion, either physically or mentally.

mind-numbing

Highlights the effect of something repetitive and boring on mental acuity.

humdrum

Suggests a lack of excitement or variety in everyday life.

lackluster

Describes something that fails to impress or excite.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "tedious" in a sentence?

Use "tedious" to describe tasks, processes, or activities that are not only boring but also mentally taxing due to their length or repetitiveness. For example, "The data entry was a "tedious" job, requiring hours of repetitive typing".

What words can I use as alternatives to "tedious"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, consider alternatives like "monotonous", "dull", "wearisome", or "tiresome".

Is it appropriate to use "tedious" in formal writing?

Yes, "tedious" is appropriate for formal writing. However, avoid overuse to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive. Vary your word choice with synonyms to maintain reader interest.

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

"Boring" generally describes something that lacks interest. "Tedious", however, implies that something is not only boring but also prolonged and mentally exhausting due to its repetitive or monotonous nature.