Words / B2

BOR/bɔː/

A bore here is a person or thing that is dull and uninteresting: a crashing bore; what a bore. As a verb, to make someone feel that way: bore someone. Boring is the adjective; dull is everyday. Calling a speech a bore is not analysis; quote the line. Mix-up: bore vs boar; the drilling sense (to bore a hole) — use that only if the source names a drill; do not write bore for a person who is merely quiet.

Meaning

A person or thing that is dull and uninteresting; as a verb, to make someone feel that way.

Examples

• “Calling a speech a bore is not analysis; quote the line, the English paper said.”
• “The lecture bored the sample group, which is the verb sense — still quote the n and the scale if given.”

Good to know

a crashing bore; to bore someone. Adjective: boring. Trap: boar / drill a hole unless the source names it. English and PSHE. Dull person or thing — quote the line, not a mood slogan.

Near in meaning

dull person, drag, tedium

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