Words / C1

TEED-ee-uh-s/ˈtiːdiəs/

Tedious means too long, slow, or dull, in a way that wears patience: a tedious process, tedious detail. Boring is everyday; dull is a cousin; gripping sits opposite. Do not call a complete methods paragraph tedious because it is not sparkling.

Meaning

Too long, slow, or dull, in a way that makes you impatient.

Examples

• “A tedious methods paragraph that names the n beats a sparkling abstract that does not.”
• “Boring is everyday. Dull is close. Monotonous stresses sameness. Exciting is the opposite flavour. Peer review reads for completeness. Sparkle without a count is advertising. Keep the dull sentence that names the n.”

Good to know

Boringly long or slow. Everyday: boring. Opposite flavour: gripping. Completeness is not a style fault.

Near in meaning

boring

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