dull

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdəl

: tedious, uninteresting

dull lectures

: lacking sharpness of edge or point

a dull knife

: not resonant or ringing

a dull booming sound

: lacking in force, intensity, or sharpness

a dull ache

: lacking brilliance or luster

a dull finish

: cloudy

dull weather

of a color : low in saturation (see saturation sense 4a) and low in lightness

a dull green

: mentally slow : stupid

: slow in perception or sensibility : insensible

somewhat dull of hearing

dull to what went on about her

Willa Cather

: lacking zest (see zest sense 2) or vivacity : listless

a dull performance

: slow in action : sluggish

dull markets

dullness noun

or less commonly dulness

ˈdəl-nəs

dully

ˈdə(l)-lē

adverb

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

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

单词	dullness
释义	dull 1 of 2 adjective 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 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 2 verb 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 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 dull-witted (as) dull as ditchwater never a dull moment (as) dull as dishwater dull-witted (as) dull as ditchwater never a dull moment (as) dull as dishwater 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 2 verb 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 dullness noun variants also dulness as in thickness the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind the dullness of the characters in horror movies cannot be overstated Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance thickness obtuseness slowness denseness dumbness mindlessness density dopiness boneheadedness simpleness vacuity stupidness witlessness insanity oafishness brainlessness stupidity fatuity dorkiness weak-mindedness senselessness doltishness foolishness gormlessness simplicity fatuousness idiocy feeblemindedness daftness dim-wittedness simplemindedness absurdity craziness wackiness dottiness madness irrationality inanity balminess zaniness unreasonableness inaneness preposterousness silliness lunacy nuttiness mental retardation mental deficiency nonsensicalness nincompoopery fallacy folly asininity dippiness Antonyms & Near Antonyms brightness brilliance sharpness cleverness intelligence perception smartness quickness keenness alertness judgment perspicacity insight astuteness judgement braininess acumen quick-wittedness percipience discernment wit wisdom sagacity rationality soundness validity logicality reasonableness sapience logicalness sageness rationalness See More
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dull

adjective

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing dull

Kids Definition

adjective

verb

Medical Definition

adjective

noun