dull
1 of 2adjective
ˈdəl 
1
: tedious, uninteresting
dull lectures
2
: lacking sharpness of edge or point
a dull knife
3
a
: not resonant or ringing
a dull booming sound
b
: lacking in force, intensity, or sharpness
a dull ache
4
: lacking brilliance or luster
a dull finish
5
: cloudy
dull weather
6
of a color : low in saturation (see saturation sense 4a) and low in lightness
a dull green
7
: mentally slow : stupid
8
a
: slow in perception or sensibility : insensible
somewhat dull of hearing
dull to what went on about her
Willa Cather
Willa Cather b
: lacking zest (see zest sense 2) or vivacity : listless
a dull performance
9
: slow in action : sluggish
dull markets
dullness noun
or less commonly dulness
ˈdəl-nəs
dully
ˈdə(l)-lē
adverb dull
2 of 2verb
dulled; dulling; dulls
transitive verb
: to make dull
dull a knife's edge
intransitive verb
: to become dull
The blade dulled with use.
Synonyms
Adjective
- blunt
- blunted
- dulled
- obtuse
Verb
- benumb
- blunt
- cauterize
- damp
- dampen
- deaden
- numb
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective the dull roar of the crowd the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it Verb Fog dulled the morning sunlight. Special earplugs dulled the sound of the chain saw. His hair dulled as he aged. The dog's eyes dulled as he got sick. She takes medicine to dull the pain. Fear dulled his need for adventure. The knife was dulled from use. The blade should be replaced as soon as it dulls. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Dan Zak, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 While some gender-neutral styles can seem dull, Primary offers unisex prints that are colorful and fun. Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 Scrape off anything that falls onto your suit with a dull knife; with pb one never rubs the stain. Adam Morganstern, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2022 There’s not a dull shot in the entire movie, which is remarkable, considering how little actual action Heineman films — and most of that is done by drone, observed from behind computer screens. Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 What was a dull, greenish-brown grave marker is now a deep, rich bronze. Mykal Mceldowney, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2022 At first glance, Miguel A. Gutierrez’s role at WellMed Medical Management Inc. seemed unremarkable — even a little dull. Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Aug. 2022 More people cut themselves with dull knives rather than sharp ones. Samantha Lande, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Swap your flat pillows and dull sheets for these luxe picks instead. Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 23 Aug. 2022 Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Record prices have also helped dull the pain felt by Shell and others such as BP PLC and Exxon Mobil Corp. from their decisions to pull back from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Francesca Fontana, WSJ, 29 July 2022 This is a set of very high quality, sturdy, knives that comes with a standalone magnetic base that won’t dull the blades. Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 The pain suffered by the Suns and their fans in the humiliating Game 7 loss to the Mavericks might eventually dull. Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 Repetitive self-help themes can dull the senses, however. Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2022 But by week two or three, the luster on these items may be starting to dull, thanks to little fingers, water spots, grease splatters and just plain old wear and tear. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 29 June 2022 Resist the temptation of turning to drinking, drugs, overeating and other bad habits to dull the pain. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 26 June 2022 Like knives, the blade will dull over time; unlike knives, sharpening isn’t an option. Bon Appétit, 23 May 2022 See More
Adjective
The soaring office walls, stripped of Young’s bumptious archaeology (including his vertical herd of taxidermy), had been repainted in the dull buttercream of Capitol Hill bureaucracy. Dan Zak, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 While some gender-neutral styles can seem dull, Primary offers unisex prints that are colorful and fun. Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 Scrape off anything that falls onto your suit with a dull knife; with pb one never rubs the stain. Adam Morganstern, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2022 There’s not a dull shot in the entire movie, which is remarkable, considering how little actual action Heineman films — and most of that is done by drone, observed from behind computer screens. Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 What was a dull, greenish-brown grave marker is now a deep, rich bronze. Mykal Mceldowney, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2022 At first glance, Miguel A. Gutierrez’s role at WellMed Medical Management Inc. seemed unremarkable — even a little dull. Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Aug. 2022 More people cut themselves with dull knives rather than sharp ones. Samantha Lande, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Swap your flat pillows and dull sheets for these luxe picks instead. Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 23 Aug. 2022 Verb
Storing knives in wood blocks is more likely to dull your knives, and those knife blocks could also be a hotbed for yeast, mold and other germs. Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Record prices have also helped dull the pain felt by Shell and others such as BP PLC and Exxon Mobil Corp. from their decisions to pull back from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Francesca Fontana, WSJ, 29 July 2022 This is a set of very high quality, sturdy, knives that comes with a standalone magnetic base that won’t dull the blades. Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 The pain suffered by the Suns and their fans in the humiliating Game 7 loss to the Mavericks might eventually dull. Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 Repetitive self-help themes can dull the senses, however. Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2022 But by week two or three, the luster on these items may be starting to dull, thanks to little fingers, water spots, grease splatters and just plain old wear and tear. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 29 June 2022 Resist the temptation of turning to drinking, drugs, overeating and other bad habits to dull the pain. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 26 June 2022 Like knives, the blade will dull over time; unlike knives, sharpening isn’t an option. Bon Appétit, 23 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Verb
Middle English dul; akin to Old English dol foolish, Old Irish dall blind
First Known Use
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing dull
Kids Definition
dull 1 of 2
adjective
ˈdəl
duller; dullest
1
: not sharp in edge or point : blunt
a dull knife
2
: not shiny or bright
The old trophy had a dull finish.
3
: not interesting : boring
a dull movie
4
: not clear and ringing
a dull sound
5
: not sharp or intense
I have a dull ache in my arm.
6
: slightly grayish
a dull red
7
: cloudy sense 1, overcast
a dull sky
8
: slow in understanding things : not smart
9
: without energy or spirit
She was feeling dull.
10
: slow in action : sluggish
Business was dull.
dull
2 of 2verb
dulled; dulling
: to make or become less sharp, bright, or intense
Medicine dulled the pain.
Medical Definition
dull
adjective
ˈdəl
1
: mentally slow or stupid
2
: slow in perception or sensibility
3
: lacking sharpness of edge or point
a dull scalpel
4
: lacking in force, intensity, or acuteness
a dull pain
dull 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- blunt
- blunted
- dulled
- obtuse
- flattened
- rounded
- dullish
- smooth
- even
- level
- flat
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sharp
- edgy
- edged
- keen
- jagged
- ground
- sharpened
- cutting
- spiky
- pointed
- honed
- prickly
- spiny
- needlelike
- spiked
- scratching
- whetted
- piercing
- spikey
- spikelike
- stabbing
- lacerating
- jabbing
- ultrasharp
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else Synonyms & Similar Words
- boring
- tiring
- slow
- stupid
- weary
- wearying
- dusty
- old
- heavy
- uninteresting
- monotonous
- drab
- dry
- annoying
- tedious
- irritating
- dreary
- humdrum
- tiresome
- tame
- colorless
- stodgy
- pedestrian
- wearisome
- leaden
- arid
- drudging
- ponderous
- monochromatic
- stale
- stuffy
- pallid
- ho-hum
- numbing
- jejune
- flat
- dullish
- unexciting
- sterile
- exhausting
- blah
- mind-numbing
- barren
- jading
- unimaginative
- spiritless
- uninspiring
- gray
- prosy
- blank
- prosaic
- uneventful
- soggy
- unrewarding
- irksome
- unspectacular
- undramatic
- draining
- bothersome
- unsensational
- grey
- pedantic
- fatiguing
- inanimate
- enervating
- ordinary
- earthbound
- vapid
- debilitating
- aseptic
- discouraging
- unexceptional
- dispiriting
- suspenseless
- commonplace
- common
- wearing
- cumbersome
- tepid
- plodding
- pleasureless
- unnewsworthy
- pokey
- enfeebling
- poky
- disheartening
- unsurprising
- demoralizing
- palling
- longsome
- lumbering
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interesting
- intriguing
- exciting
- wonderful
- riveting
- engaging
- surprising
- spectacular
- engrossing
- marvellous
- wondrous
- marvelous
- amusing
- involving
- exhilarating
- amazing
- sensational
- awesome
- absorbing
- gripping
- stimulating
- entertaining
- astonishing
- thrilling
- fabulous
- inspiring
- astounding
- breathtaking
- attractive
- charming
- electrifying
- energizing
- rousing
- enlivening
- fascinating
- alluring
- invigorating
- enthralling
- stirring
- poignant
- enchanting
- beguiling
- galvanizing
- moving
- bewitching
- entrancing
- touching
- diverting
- animating
- eye-opening
- rip-roaring
- provocative
- attracting
- hair-raising
- captivating
- suspenseful
- spellbinding
- tantalizing
- mesmerizing
- arresting
3
as in hazy
covered over by clouds dull skies plagued most of our vacation days at the beach Synonyms & Similar Words
- hazy
- darkened
- clouded
- misty
- gray
- murky
- bleak
- overcast
- cloudy
- dark
- grey
- beclouded
- dulled
- hazed
- heavy
- louring
- dim
- lowering
- overclouded
- dimmed
- blackened
- obscured
- obscure
- dreary
- black
- cheerless
- dusky
- overshadowed
- gloomy
- sullen
- glum
- dismal
- desolate
- somber
- darksome
- drear
- befogged
- bedimmed
- sunless
- sombre
- sepulchral
- funereal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- clear
- cloudless
- sunny
- shiny
- brilliant
- dazzling
- sunshiny
- sunlit
- radiant
- lighted
- illuminated
- brightened
- lit
- lightened
- illumined
4
as in matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss a good polish should restore that car's dull finish Synonyms & Similar Words
- matte
- dulled
- lusterless
- flat
- gray
- matt
- pale
- dim
- mat
- grey
- dark
- drab
- black
- darkened
- lackluster
- dingy
- unpolished
- tarnished
- muddy
- mousy
- leaden
- obscured
- cloudy
- gloomy
- dirty
- obscure
- somber
- dimmed
- murky
- dusky
- darkish
- mousey
- stygian
- palish
- sombre
- tenebrous
- pitch-dark
- pitch-black
- tenebrific
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shiny
- glossy
- lustrous
- sleek
- polished
- rubbed
- burnished
- varnished
- glazed
- silky
- lacquered
- satin
- satiny
- slick
- bright
- brilliant
- shining
- slippery
- sparkling
- gleaming
- dazzling
- silken
- shining
- luminous
- buffed
- glistening
- shellacked
- shimmering
- radiant
- incandescent
- lucid
- resplendent
- glowing
- effulgent
- twinkling
- lucent
- glittering
- brightened
- lambent
- scintillating
- glimmering
- refulgent
- glinting
- fulgent
- candescent
- bedazzling
- gemmy
- beaming
5
as in faded
lacking intensity of color that canvas shirt should fade to an attractive, dull red over time Synonyms & Similar Words
- faded
- pale
- dulled
- light
- faint
- washy
- lusterless
- washed-out
- pastel
- lackluster
- neutral
- gray
- dim
- white
- muddy
- matte
- colorless
- grey
- dirty
- bleached
- flat
- mat
- indistinct
- achromatic
- washed
- matt
- unpainted
- unstained
- blanched
- uncolored
- whitened
- undyed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dark
- rich
- brilliant
- bright
- deep
- vivid
- vibrant
- colored
- gay
- stained
- colorful
- painted
- tinged
- chromatic
- tinted
- loud
- gaudy
- showy
- flashy
- dyed
- prismatic
- variegated
- rainbow
- garish
- multicolored
- varicolored
- polychromatic
- motley
- splashy
- polychrome
6
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues Synonyms & Similar Words
- stupid
- slow
- dumb
- simple
- thick
- dense
- dim
- vacuous
- foolish
- soft
- obtuse
- silly
- ignorant
- dopey
- idiotic
- unintelligent
- fatuous
- opaque
- witless
- senseless
- thickheaded
- doltish
- mindless
- dorky
- gormless
- brainless
- mad
- unreasonable
- airheaded
- crazy
- irrational
- insane
- dunderheaded
- oafish
- lamebrain
- dim-witted
- pinheaded
- thick-witted
- empty-headed
- idiotical
- softheaded
- boneheaded
- slow-witted
- lunkheaded
- brain-dead
- lamebrained
- bubbleheaded
- moronic
- unsmart
- unintellectual
- bonehead
- absurd
- chuckleheaded
- half-witted
- dopy
- knuckleheaded
- weak-minded
- uneducated
- lunatic
- fool
- imbecile
- simpleminded
- uninformed
- daft
- feebleminded
- birdbrained
- cretinous
- illogical
- unthinking
- zany
- dippy
- lowbrow
- untaught
- nonsensical
- sappy
- illiterate
- wacky
- nutty
- looney
- unwise
- asinine
- dotty
- loony
- kooky
- imbecilic
- invalid
- daffy
- preposterous
- whacky
- tomfool
- cuckoo
- fallacious
- balmy
- screwball
- boobish
- half-baked
- crackpot
- harebrained
- featherheaded
- cockeyed
- kookie
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bright
- brilliant
- sharp
- quick
- apt
- intelligent
- clever
- fast
- smart
- acute
- keen
- brainy
- wise
- ingenious
- cerebral
- nimble
- intellectual
- resourceful
- insightful
- keen
- perceptive
- thinking
- sagacious
- erudite
- astute
- knowing
- savvy
- knowledgeable
- ultrasmart
- quick-witted
- literate
- sage
- scholarly
- sound
- discerning
- sharp-witted
- skilled
- learned
- supersmart
- reasonable
- hyperintelligent
- sensible
- shrewd
- highbrow
- educated
- informed
- perspicacious
- cunning
- trained
- crafty
- logical
- wily
- sane
- sapient
- rational
- valid
- percipient
- prudent
- judicious
- well-read
- foxy
- schooled
7
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume a dull roar from the distance Synonyms & Similar Words
- soft
- quiet
- gentle
- hushed
- muffled
- low
- soothing
- silent
- muted
- dreamy
- serene
- tranquil
- restful
- still
- calm
- peaceful
- softened
- dead
- stilly
- toned (down)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loud
- clamorous
- sonorous
- thunderous
- noisy
- booming
- deafening
- overloud
- stentorian
- clangorous
- piercing
- ringing
- blasting
- raucous
- plangent
- thundering
- roaring
- earsplitting
- harsh
- blaring
- shrill
- obstreperous
- brazen
- vociferous
- discordant
- crashing
- resounding
- strident
- grating
- clear
- dinning
- squealing
- rip-roaring
- trumpetlike
- clarion
8
as in sleepy
slow to move or act a dull market for luxury goods this holiday season Synonyms & Similar Words
- sleepy
- sluggish
- lethargic
- torpid
- inert
- lazy
- listless
- inactive
- motionless
- quiescent
- apathetic
- static
- indolent
- resting
- ambitionless
- shiftless
- languorous
- dopey
- slothful
- still
- drowsy
- asleep
- drugged
- dormant
- inanimate
- slack
- lazyish
- sedentary
- sluggard
- dead
- comatose
- catatonic
- sluggardly
- dopy
- somnambulant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- active
- busy
- engaged
- vigorous
- dynamic
- lively
- energetic
- occupied
- spirited
- vivacious
- working
- vital
- perky
- kinetic
- animated
- sprightly
- peppy
- bouncing
- industrious
- springy
- diligent
- assiduous
- hardworking
- zippy
- sedulous
dull
2 of 2verb
1
as in to blunt
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better Synonyms & Similar Words
- blunt
- numb
- damp
- reduce
- deaden
- benumb
- diminish
- dampen
- weaken
- cauterize
- subside
- decrease
- mute
- ease
- subdue
- alleviate
- muffle
- moderate
- debilitate
- lighten
- enfeeble
- lessen
- wane
- recede
- lower
- dwindle
- tone (down)
- let up (on)
- abate
- taper (off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sharpen
- enhance
- intensify
- strengthen
- augment
- deepen
- stimulate
- step up
- amplify
- boost
- heighten
- consolidate
- whet
- magnify
- arouse
- beef (up)
- redouble
- animate
2
as in to bleach
to make white or lighter by removing color the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time Synonyms & Similar Words
- bleach
- fade
- pale
- brighten
- dim
- snow
- whiten
- blench
- decolorize
- blanch
- matte
- lighten
- wash out
- silver
- matt
- frost
- mat
- etiolate
- whitewash
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- darken
- deepen
- streak
- tarnish
- marble
- striate
- pattern
- blacken
- shade
- blotch
- discolor
- paint
- embrown
- spot
- pigment
- speck
- tinge
- shine
- speckle
- dye
- stripe
- tint
- stain
- polish
- daub
- color
- polychrome
- fleck
- dapple
- mottle
- splotch
- tincture
- burnish
- variegate
- checker
Synonym Chooser
The words blunt and obtuse are common synonyms of dull. While all three words mean "not sharp, keen, or acute," dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.
a dull pain
a dull mind
Although the words blunt and dull have much in common, blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.
a person of blunt sensibility
The meanings of obtuse and dull largely overlap; however, obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.
too obtuse to take the hint