WordGarden.iodull
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈʌl/
US
- /ˈdəl/
Meanings
Adjective
boring or lacking interest
not bright, shiny, or vivid
not sharp enough to cut well
More meaningsFewer meanings
muted, indistinct, or low in intensity
used insultingly to mean slow to understand or mentally unquick
Verb
to make or become less sharp, bright, intense, or effective
Beyond the definition
Something can be dull in a few different ways. A knife can be dull, meaning it has lost its sharp edge and will not cut well. More often, we use "dull" to describe something boring or lacking excitement. A long lecture on tax law might seem quite dull. A dull person is not necessarily unintelligent; they may just seem quiet, flat, or not very interesting in conversation. A grey, cloudy day can also feel dull because it seems dim and lifeless.
You might say a movie was dull if nothing much happened or if the characters did not hold your attention. You can also talk about a "dull ache," which is pain that is not sharp or sudden, but steady and heavy instead.
The word "dull" is surprisingly versatile, carrying meanings related to both physical properties and emotional states. At its core, "dull" describes a lack of sharpness, brightness, or intensity.
Physically, something dull has lost its keen edge or luster. A dull knife won't slice cleanly; a dull blade needs sharpening. You might describe the color of an overcast sky as "dull grey," indicating a lack of vibrant hues. This sense of "not bright" extends to surfaces—a dull finish on wood means it is matte rather than glossy or shiny.
However, "dull" is most commonly used to describe something uninteresting or tedious. A dull conversation lacks spark, and a dull book fails to capture your imagination. When applied to people, a dull person might seem lacking in enthusiasm or charm. It is important to note that this is not always a comment on intelligence; often, it is simply about how lively or engaging someone seems.
Furthermore, "dull" is a common medical descriptor for a persistent, throbbing pain that lacks a "stabbing" quality—a dull headache, for example. This connects back to the theme of lacking intensity or a "point."
Whether you are talking about tools, colors, conversations, or physical sensations, "dull" signals a lack of something vital—whether it is an edge, brightness, excitement, or sharpness. It suggests a state of being muted, uninspired, or even slightly depressing.
Examples
- 1
Boring movie
The movie was so dull that we left before it ended.
- 2
Weather
It was a dull, rainy afternoon, with no sun at all.
- 3
Color
She chose a brighter jacket because the gray one looked dull.
- 4
Knife edge
This knife is too dull to slice bread cleanly.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Physical pain
I woke up with a dull ache behind my eyes.
- 6
Pain relief
The medicine dulled the pain for a few hours.
- Patterndull + feeling/sensation
make it less strong or less noticeable
- 7
Noise control
Thick carpets help dull the sound of footsteps.
- 8
Personal curiosity
Success hadn't dulled her curiosity; she still asked questions about everything.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- dull adjective: not sharp
Used with (collocations)
- dull meeting
- dull lecture
- dull routine
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dullverbadjective
Forms
- dulledpast tenseverbadjective
- dullercomparativeadjectiveverb
- dullestsuperlativeadjectiveverb
- dullsverbadjective
- dulling-ing formverbadjective