Main Entry:

¹dull

Pronunciation:

\ˈdəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

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

Date:

13th century

1: mentally slow : stupid2 a: slow in perception or sensibility : insensible <somewhat dull of hearing> b: lacking zest or vivacity : listless <a dull performance>3: slow in action : sluggish4 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>7of a color : low in saturation and low in lightness8: cloudy <dull weather>9: tedious, uninteresting <dull lectures>

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

— dul·ly \ˈdə(l)-lē\ adverb

synonyms 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>.

synonyms see in addition stupid