Words / A2

DUL/dʌl/

Dull means not interesting, or not bright: a dull lesson, dull weather, a dull ache (not sharp). Boring is a close cousin for events. Bright and interesting are opposites. A dull knife is not sharp — second sense. Do not write dull for stupid about a person in careful English; say unkind things another way, or say slow to understand if you must.

Meaning

Not interesting or exciting; also not bright.

Examples

• “It was a dull afternoon with grey clouds.”
• “The sky was dull, but it stayed dry.”
• “It was a dull talk with too many slides.”

Good to know

a dull lesson / dull weather. Cousin: boring. Knife: dull = not sharp. Contrast: bright.

Near in meaning

boring

New