dull
word
/ˈdəɫ/
duhl
/dˈʌl/
duhl
Definition
If something is dull, it is not interesting or exciting. It can also mean not bright or shiny, or not sharp enough to cut well.
Usage & Nuances
Very common adjective with three main uses: 'a dull movie' (boring), 'a dull color/sky' (not bright), and 'a dull knife' (not sharp). For people, 'dull' can sound rude because it means boring or not lively.
Spanish: aburrido - apagado (sin brillo) - desafiladoPortuguese (BR): entediante - sem brilho - sem fioPortuguese (PT): aborrecido - baço - romboChinese (Simplified): 无聊的 - 暗淡的 - 钝的Chinese (Traditional): 無聊的 - 暗淡的 - 鈍的Hindi: नीरस - फीका - कुंदArabic: ممل - باهت - غير حادBengali: নীরস - অনুজ্জ্বল - ভোঁতাRussian: скучный - тусклый - тупойJapanese: 退屈な - 鈍い - くすんだVietnamese: buồn tẻ - xỉn màu - cùnKorean: 지루한 - 무딘 - 둔탁한Turkish: sıkıcı - mat - kör (bıçak)Urdu: بیزارکن - مدھم - کندIndonesian: membosankan - tumpul - kusam
Example Sentences
This class is dull today.
basic
The knife is dull, so it won't cut the bread well.
basic
The room looked dull without any lights.
basic
I tried to read the report, but it was so dull that I kept checking my phone.
natural
The paint looked dull after a few years in the sun.
natural
These scissors are getting dull — we should replace them.
natural