boring

adjective

bor·​ing ˈbȯr-iŋ 

: causing weariness and restlessness through lack of interest : causing boredom : tiresome

a boring lecture

boringly

ˈbȯr-iŋ-lē 

adverb

boringness noun

Synonyms

• arid
• colorless
• drab
• dreary
• drudging
• dry
• dull
• dusty
• flat
• heavy
• ho-hum
• humdrum
• jading
• jejune
• leaden
• mind-numbing
• monochromatic
• monotonous
• numbing
• old
• pedestrian
• ponderous
• slow
• stale
• stodgy
• stuffy
• stupid
• tame
• tedious
• tiresome
• tiring
• uninteresting
• wearisome
• weary
• wearying

Examples of boring in a Sentence

I find her books totally boring.

I wish this book weren't so boring; I keep falling asleep whenever I try to read it.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is worlds away from that boring deli chicken sandwich, while still being easy enough to whip up on the busiest of days. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

The contract’s scope of work includes the single bore tunnel, station entrances and exits, the excavation of underground stations and the procurement of a tunnel boring machine. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 27 June 2025

For example, designate yourself as the event photographer and turn boring social media posts into something creative and beautiful. —Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

But who’s listening to such boring drivel, when the screen is showing a laughing, good-looking woman throwing a birthday party for her dog, complete with doggie birthday cake and balloons? —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of bore entry 6

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing boring

• as boring as they come
• wood-boring

Rhymes for boring

• coring
• flooring
• poring
• pouring
• roaring
• scoring
• shoring
• snoring
• soaring
• storing
• warring
• whoring

Kids Definition

boring

adjective

bor·​ing ˈbō(ə)r-iŋ 

ˈbȯ(ə)r-

: causing boredom : uninteresting, tedious

boringly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb