dull
dull /d'ʌl/ (duller dullest dulls dulling dulled)
1 [ADJ]
If you describe someone or something as dull, you mean they are not interesting or exciting.
I felt she found me boring and dull...
= boring
≠ interesting
● dullness [N-UNCOUNT]
They enjoy anything that breaks the dullness of their routine life.
2 [ADJ]
Someone or something that is dull is not very lively or energetic.
The body's natural rhythms mean we all feel dull and sleepy between 1 and 3pm.
= sluggish
● dully [ADV] ADV after v
His eyes looked dully ahead.
● dullness [N-UNCOUNT]
Did you notice any unusual depression or dullness of mind?
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A dull colour or light is not bright.
The stamp was a dull blue colour.
● dully [ADV] ADV with v
The street lamps gleamed dully through the night's mist.
4 [ADJ]
You say the weather is dull when it is very cloudy.
It's always dull and raining.
≠ sunny
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Dull sounds are not very clear or loud.
The coffin closed with a dull thud.
● dully [ADV] ADV after v
He heard his heart thump dully but more quickly.
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
Dull feelings are weak and not intense.
The pain, usually a dull ache, gets worse with exercise...
≠ sharp
● dully [ADV]
His arm throbbed dully.
7 [ADJ]
If a knife or blade is dull, it is not sharp. (OLD-FASHIONED)
= blunt
≠ keen
8 [VERB] V, V n
If something dulls or if it is dulled, it becomes less intense, bright, or lively.
Her eyes dulled and she gazed blankly...
Share prices and trading have been dulled by worries over the war.
1 [ADJ]
If you describe someone or something as dull, you mean they are not interesting or exciting.
I felt she found me boring and dull...
= boring
≠ interesting
● dullness [N-UNCOUNT]
They enjoy anything that breaks the dullness of their routine life.
2 [ADJ]
Someone or something that is dull is not very lively or energetic.
The body's natural rhythms mean we all feel dull and sleepy between 1 and 3pm.
= sluggish
● dully [ADV] ADV after v
His eyes looked dully ahead.
● dullness [N-UNCOUNT]
Did you notice any unusual depression or dullness of mind?
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A dull colour or light is not bright.
The stamp was a dull blue colour.
● dully [ADV] ADV with v
The street lamps gleamed dully through the night's mist.
4 [ADJ]
You say the weather is dull when it is very cloudy.
It's always dull and raining.
≠ sunny
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Dull sounds are not very clear or loud.
The coffin closed with a dull thud.
● dully [ADV] ADV after v
He heard his heart thump dully but more quickly.
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
Dull feelings are weak and not intense.
The pain, usually a dull ache, gets worse with exercise...
≠ sharp
● dully [ADV]
His arm throbbed dully.
7 [ADJ]
If a knife or blade is dull, it is not sharp. (OLD-FASHIONED)
= blunt
≠ keen
8 [VERB] V, V n
If something dulls or if it is dulled, it becomes less intense, bright, or lively.
Her eyes dulled and she gazed blankly...
Share prices and trading have been dulled by worries over the war.