doldrums

plural noun

dol·​drums ˈdōl-drəmz  ˈdäl- 

ˈdȯl-

1

: a spell of listlessness or despondency

fighting off the winter doldrums

2

often capitalized oceanography : a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms (see calm entry 1 sense 1b), squalls, and light shifting winds

3

: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump

out of the economic doldrums

Did you know?

Almost everyone gets the doldrums—a feeling of low spirits and lack of energy—every once in a while. The doldrums experienced by sailors, however, are usually of a different variety. In the early-19th century, the word once reserved for a feeling of despondency came to be applied to certain tropical regions of the ocean marked by the absence of strong winds. Sailing vessels, reliant on wind propulsion, struggled to make headway in these regions, leading to long, arduous journeys. The exact etymology of doldrums is not certain, though it is believed to be related to the Old English dol, meaning "foolish"—a history it shares with our adjective dull.

Synonyms

• abeyance
• cold storage
• deep freeze
• dormancy
• holding pattern
• latency
• moratorium
• quiescence
• suspended animation
• suspense
• suspension

Examples of doldrums in a Sentence

the theater scene is usually in the doldrums during the summer

the team had been in the doldrums ever since losing the championship

we were in the doldrums while we waited for something to happen

Recent Examples on the Web

The challenges are real, as streaming changes moviegoer habits and the box office continues to creep back from the pandemic doldrums. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025

Whether Thunderbolts* can rescue the MCU from its doldrums remains to be seen when audiences weigh in. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025

European markets are expected to open higher Thursday, rallying after being in the doldrums yesterday. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024

Trump's poll numbers below par While the Mexican president and Canada's ruling party enjoy favorable opinion polls, Trump's popularity at home is in the doldrums. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably akin to Old English dol foolish

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

doldrums

plural noun

dol·​drums ˈdōl-drəmz  ˈdäl- 

ˈdȯl-

1

: a spell of low spirits

2

: a part of the ocean near the equator known for its calms

3

: a state in which nothing seems to be going on

business is in the doldrums