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0 English - Japanese

Dull

dəl
Very common
~ 1900
~ 1900, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
鈍い (にぶい, nibui), 退屈な (たいくつな, taikutsu na), 鈍感な (どんかん, donkan), 色あせた (いろあせた, iroaseta)

Dull meanings in Japanese

鈍い (にぶい, nibui)

Example:
The knife is dull and can't cut well.
そのナイフは鈍くてよく切れない。
His response was dull and uninteresting.
彼の返事は鈍くて面白くなかった。
Usage: InformalContext: Used to describe something that lacks sharpness or is not exciting.
Note: This can refer to physical objects like tools or to abstract concepts like conversations or responses.

退屈な (たいくつな, taikutsu na)

Example:
The lecture was so dull that I almost fell asleep.
その講義はとても退屈で、私はほとんど寝てしまいそうだった。
I find this movie dull and boring.
この映画は退屈で面白くないと思う。
Usage: InformalContext: Used to describe something that is not engaging or stimulating.
Note: This meaning often applies to events, activities, or media that fail to capture interest.

鈍感な (どんかん, donkan)

Example:
He is dull to the feelings of others.
彼は他人の感情に鈍感だ。
Being dull in social situations can lead to misunderstandings.
社交的な場面で鈍感であると誤解を招くことがある。
Usage: InformalContext: Used to describe someone who is insensitive or not perceptive.
Note: This usage can refer to emotional intelligence or social awareness.

色あせた (いろあせた, iroaseta)

Example:
The colors of the painting have become dull over time.
その絵の色は時間とともに色あせてしまった。
The fabric looks dull after many washes.
その生地は何度も洗った後、色あせて見える。
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to describe colors that have lost their brightness.
Note: This meaning can be applied to artwork, fabrics, and other materials that can fade.

Dull's synonyms

boring

Boring refers to something lacking interest or excitement.
Example: The lecture was so boring that I fell asleep.
Note: Dull can also refer to lack of brightness or sharpness, while boring specifically relates to lack of interest.

uninteresting

Uninteresting means not engaging or captivating.
Example: The book turned out to be uninteresting, so I couldn't finish it.
Note: Dull can imply lack of brightness or sharpness, while uninteresting focuses on the lack of engaging qualities.

tedious

Tedious refers to something tiresome or monotonous.
Example: The task was so tedious that it felt never-ending.
Note: Dull can describe something lacking interest or excitement, while tedious emphasizes the feeling of being tiresome.

mundane

Mundane means ordinary, dull, or lacking excitement.
Example: The daily routine had become mundane and predictable.
Note: Dull can refer to lack of brightness or sharpness, while mundane specifically relates to something ordinary or routine.

lifeless

Lifeless describes something lacking vitality or energy.
Example: The party was so lifeless that people left early.
Note: Dull can imply lack of brightness or sharpness, while lifeless focuses on the absence of vitality.

Dull expressions, common phrases

Boring as watching paint dry

This phrase is used to describe something extremely dull or uninteresting.
Example: The lecture was as boring as watching paint dry.
Note: It emphasizes extreme boredom compared to just using the word 'dull.'

Dull as dishwater

This phrase means very uninteresting or boring.
Example: The movie was as dull as dishwater.
Note: It adds emphasis to the lack of excitement, compared to simply saying 'dull.'

Mind-numbingly dull

This phrase indicates that something is so boring that it makes your mind feel numb.
Example: The task was mind-numbingly dull.
Note: It conveys a stronger sense of boredom and monotony than just using 'dull.'

Dull as ditchwater

Similar to 'dull as dishwater,' this phrase describes something very boring or uninteresting.
Example: The presentation was as dull as ditchwater.
Note: It adds vivid imagery to emphasize the lack of excitement.

Like watching grass grow

This phrase suggests that something is so dull that it feels as slow and uneventful as watching grass grow.
Example: The meeting was like watching grass grow.
Note: It uses a simile to vividly portray the slowness and boredom compared to just saying 'dull.'

Dull as a doorknob

This phrase means very uninteresting or lacking excitement.
Example: The conversation was as dull as a doorknob.
Note: It uses a vivid comparison to emphasize the lack of interest compared to just using 'dull.'

As exciting as watching paint dry

This phrase is used ironically to convey that something is extremely dull or boring.
Example: The party was as exciting as watching paint dry.
Note: It uses irony to emphasize the lack of excitement compared to just saying 'dull.'

Dull everyday (slang) expressions

Meh

Meh is used to express indifference or lack of enthusiasm about something.
Example: The movie was just meh, nothing special.
Note: It conveys a more casual and dismissive attitude compared to 'dull'.

Lame

Lame refers to something uninteresting, unimpressive, or of poor quality.
Example: The party was so lame, we left early.
Note: It implies a stronger negative judgment than just being 'dull'.

Drab

Drab describes something dull, lacking color, or not interesting.
Example: The office decor is so drab, it needs a makeover.
Note: It specifically focuses on the lack of color or style, adding a visual aspect to 'dull'.

Blah

Blah is used to convey a feeling of boredom, mediocrity, or lack of excitement.
Example: The meeting was just blah, nothing new discussed.
Note: It suggests a lack of impact or meaningful content beyond just being 'dull'.

Dry

Dry describes something boring, lacking in interest or excitement.
Example: The lecture was so dry, I struggled to stay awake.
Note: It often implies a lack of engaging or entertaining presentation style in addition to being 'dull'.

Ho-hum

Ho-hum expresses a feeling of being unimpressed or underwhelmed by something.
Example: The new restaurant was ho-hum, nothing special about it.
Note: It suggests a lack of excitement or novelty beyond just being 'dull'.

Stale

Stale refers to something old, overused, or lacking freshness and excitement.
Example: The jokes in that comedy show were so stale, I didn't laugh once.
Note: It conveys a sense of being outdated or unoriginal in addition to being 'dull'.

Dull - Examples

The lecture was so dull that I fell asleep.
The movie was quite dull, I expected more action.
The job was very dull and repetitive.

Dull grammar

Dull - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: dull
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): duller
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): dullest
Adjective (Adjective): dull
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): dulled
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): dulling
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): dulls
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): dull
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): dull
Syllables, Separation and Stress
dull Contains 1 syllables: dull
Phonetic transcription: ˈdəl
dull , ˈdəl (The red syllable is stressed)

Dull - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
dull: ~ 1900 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.