dull

¹dull

adj \ˈdəl\

Definition of DULL

1

: mentally slow : stupid

2

a : slow in perception or sensibility : insensible <somewhat dull of hearing> b : lacking zest or vivacity : listless <a dull performance>

3

: slow in action : sluggish

4

a : lacking in force, intensity, or sharpness <a dull ache> b : not resonant or ringing <a dull booming sound>

5

: lacking sharpness of edge or point <a dull knife>

6

: lacking brilliance or luster <a dull finish>

7

of a color : low in saturation and low in lightness

8

: cloudy <dull weather>

9

: tedious, uninteresting <dull lectures>

— dull·ness also dul·ness \ˈdəl-nəs\ noun

— dul·ly \ˈdə(l)-lē\ adverb

Examples of DULL

1. the dull roar of the crowd
2. <the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it>

Origin of DULL

Middle English dul; akin to Old English dol foolish, Old Irish dall blind

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DULL

Synonyms: blunt, blunted, dulled, obtuse

Antonyms: cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, pointed, sharp, sharpened, whetted

Related Words: dullish; rounded, smooth; even, flat, flattened, level

Near Antonyms: jagged, needlelike, prickly, spiked, spikelike, spiky (also spikey), spiny; jabbing, lacerating, piercing, scratching, stabbing; ultrasharp

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of DULL

dull, blunt, obtuse mean not sharp, keen, or acute. dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency <a dull pain> <a dull mind>. blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception <a person of blunt sensibility>. obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination <too obtuse to take the hint>.

Rhymes with DULL

cull, gull, hull, lull, mull, null, scull, skull, trull