dull in English
- dull⇄adj. 1. not sharp or pointed; blunt.
Ex. It is hard to cut with a dull knife.
2. not bright or clear; lacking in vividness, brightness, or intensity.
Ex. a dull sound, a dull green, a dull day of rain.
(SYN) obscure, dim, indist - dull⇄dull, adjective, verb.
- dull⇄noun dullness, dulness.
- dull⇄v.i. to become dull.
Ex. This cheap knife dulls very easily. - dull⇄v.t. to make dull.
Ex. Chopping wood dulled the ax. (Figurative.) Men have dulled their eyes with sin (Henry Van Dyke).
dull in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
dull in Kashmiri कॉशुर
dull in Marathi मराठी
dull in Sindhi سنڌي
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Dull
Part of Speech
Adjective, Verb
Pronunciation
/dʌl/
Definitions
- Lacking brightness, vividness, or liveliness.
- Not sharp or intense in sensation.
- Mentally slow or lacking intelligence.
- To make less intense, clear, or sharp (as a verb).
Usage Examples
- The knife is too dull to cut the bread properly.
- The lecture was so dull that many students fell asleep.
- The pain gradually dulled after taking the medicine.
Etymology
Derived from Old English "dolu," meaning foolish or blunt. It evolved into Middle English "dul" with similar meanings.
Synonyms
- Boring
- Blunt
- Dim
- Uninspiring
Antonyms
- Sharp
- Exciting
- Intelligent
- Vivid
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | terne | /tɛʁn/ |
| Spanish | aburrido | /aβuˈriðo/ |
| Hindi | सुस्त (Sust) | /sʊst/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 迟钝 (Chídùn) | /ʈʂʰɨ̌.tu̯ən/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- American English: /dʌl/
- British English: /dʌl/
- Australian English: /dʌl/
Historical Usage
Throughout history, "dull" has been used in literature and philosophy to describe both physical bluntness and lack of intellectual or emotional stimulation.
Cultural Nuances
In modern usage, "dull" is often used to describe uninteresting experiences, such as dull weather, dull conversations, or dull books.
More Information
The word "dull" is frequently used metaphorically, such as in describing dull minds or dull atmospheres. The contrast between dull and sharp extends across various disciplines, from language to medicine and even philosophy.