dull

adjective

UK /dʌl/

Word Forms

adjective	dull
comparative	duller
superlative	dullest

1
boring, or not interesting
Life in a small village can be very dull.
a dull lecture
Synonyms and related words
Not interesting or exciting
boring
dull
tedious
2
not bright or shiny
hair that looks dull and lifeless
a dull colour
Synonyms and related words
Not bright or shiny and not providing much light
dull
muddy
dim
1. 2a
  if the weather is dull, there are a lot of clouds and it is rather dark
  Synonyms and related words
  Moisture in the air, clouds and cloudy weather
  bank
  billow
  cirrocumulus
3
not able to understand or react to what is happening
She had a dull expression on her face.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe unintelligent people
silly
idiotic
unintelligent
4
a dull pain is not very strong but continues for a long time
I felt a dull ache in my stomach.
Synonyms and related words
Physically painful and describing pain
achy
acute
agonising
5
a dull sound is low and not very clear
There was a dull thud from the flat above.
Synonyms and related words
Describing sounds that are low and/or deep
low
bass
hollow
6
not intelligent
He really is the dullest boy in the class.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe unintelligent people
silly
idiotic
unintelligent
7
a dull blade is not sharp
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe tools and parts of tools
barbed
double-edged
dull
8
if business or trade is dull, it is not busy
Synonyms and related words
Not providing profit
unprofitable
uneconomic
loss-making

phrases

(as) dull as dishwater/ditchwater

never a dull moment

dull

adjective

US /dʌl/

Word Forms

adjective	dull
comparative	duller
superlative	dullest

1
boring, or not interesting
a dull lecture
Life in a small town can be very dull.
Synonyms and related words
Not interesting or exciting
boring
dull
tedious
2
not bright or shiny
a dull color
hair that looks dull and lifeless
Synonyms and related words
Not bright or shiny and not providing much light
dull
dim
muted
1. 2a
  if the weather is dull, there are a lot of clouds and it is dark
  Synonyms and related words
  Moisture in the air, clouds and cloudy weather
  bank
  billow
  cirrocumulus
3
not able to understand or react to what is happening
She had a dull expression on her face.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe unintelligent people
silly
idiotic
unintelligent
4
a dull pain is not very strong but continues for a long time
I felt a dull ache in my stomach.
Synonyms and related words
Physically painful and describing pain
achy
acute
agonising
5
a dull sound is low and not very clear
There was a dull thud from the apartment above.
Synonyms and related words
Describing sounds that are low and/or deep
low
bass
hollow
6
not intelligent
He really is one of the dullest boys in the class.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe unintelligent people
silly
idiotic
unintelligent
7
a dull blade is not sharp
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe tools and parts of tools
barbed
double-edged
dull
8
if business or trade is dull, it is not busy
Synonyms and related words
Not providing profit
unprofitable
uneconomic
loss-making

phrases

(as) dull as dishwater/ditchwater

never a dull moment

dull

verb transitive

UK /dʌl/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	dull
he/she/it	dulls
present participle	dulling
past tense	dulled
past participle	dulled

1
to make someone’s mind slower or less able to understand, think, hear etc
Fatigue had dulled her mind.
His senses were dulled by drugs.
Synonyms and related words
To have an effect on someone’s emotions or attitudes
influence
decide
lead to
2
to make a feeling weaker
The drug can dull the pain, but not completely eliminate it.
Synonyms and related words
To have an effect on someone’s emotions or attitudes
influence
decide
lead to
3
to make a sound weaker or less clear
The carpet dulled the sound of their footsteps.
Synonyms and related words
To stop, or to reduce a sound
block out
muffle
mute
4
if something such as a knife or blade dulls, or if you dull it, it becomes less sharpSubmitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 21/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017

dull

verb transitive

US /dʌl/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	dull
he/she/it	dulls
present participle	dulling
past tense	dulled
past participle	dulled

1
to make a feeling weaker
The drug can dull the pain, but not completely eliminate it.
Synonyms and related words
To have an effect on someone’s emotions or attitudes
influence
decide
lead to
2
to make someone’s mind slower or less able to understand, think, hear, etc.
Fatigue had dulled her mind.
His senses were dulled by alcohol.
Synonyms and related words
To have an effect on someone’s emotions or attitudes
influence
decide
lead to
3
to make a sound weaker or less clear
The carpet dulled the sound of their footsteps.
Synonyms and related words
To stop, or to reduce a sound
block out
muffle
mute
4
if something such as a knife or blade dulls, or if you dull it, it becomes less sharpSubmitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 21/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017

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