humdrum

adjective

hum·​drum ˈhəm-ˌdrəm 

: monotonous, dull

humdrum noun

Synonyms of humdrum

• boring
• tiring
• dull
• slow
• wearying
• weary
• stupid
• old
• dusty

Examples of humdrum in a Sentence

She liked the movie, but I thought it was humdrum.

another humdrum day at the office

Recent Examples on the Web

Her humdrum life gives way to beach bonfires at sunset (lensed by Tudor Vladimir Panduru and Fabian Gamper in stunning dusky blues and pinks) and skinny-dipping in the river. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Quietly depressed, a wife to Reuben (Tracy Letts, Coon’s real-life partner) and mother to Ella (Bella Ramsey) and Jo (Odessa Young), Rita holds a monotonous desk job at a bank by day, and tends to her family by night as part of her humdrum routine. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

The Chiefs on Friday ended their preseason losing streak, which had dated to 2023, by playing to a humdrum 9-9 tie with the Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

What began as a nascent fascination with the material’s ease of use soon grew into a fine art practice, one that asks viewers to see the humdrum artifacts of daily life in a new, playful way. — Lilyanna D'amato, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of hum

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for humdrum

• become
• checksum
• income
• outcome
• pisum
• succumb
• therefrom
• wherefrom
• abomasum
• bum
• chum
• come

Kids Definition

humdrum

adjective

hum·​drum ˈhəm-ˌdrəm 

: monotonous sense 2, dull