mundane

adjective mun·dane \ ˌmən-ˈdān , ˈmən-ˌ \

Definition of mundane

1 :of, relating to, or characteristic of the world

2 :characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary :commonplace

the mundane concerns of day-to-day life

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mundanely

adverb

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mundaneness

play \-ˈdān-nəs, -ˌdān-\ noun

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mundanity

play \ˌmən-ˈdā-nə-tē\ noun

See mundane defined for English-language learners

See mundane defined for kids

Examples of mundane in a Sentence

On him, a mundane navy blazer looked like an Armani dinner jacket; around him, a dusky locker room became the chandeliered lobby of the Savoy. —Curry Kirkpatrick, ESPN, 19 Mar. 2001
How did our ancestors pass from the mundane activity of counting to the concept of 'number' in the abstract, devoid of any particular collection of objects to label? —John D. Barrow, Pi in the Sky, 1992
They decided on buttock tattoos, rather than the more mundane engagement ring, because a tattoo is permanent. You can always pawn a ring. —Mike Royko, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 1988
The day began with the mundane business of getting my white chiffon dress shortened … —Lady Bird Johnson, January 14, 1964, in A White House Diary, 1970
mundane chores, like washing dishes
They lead a pretty mundane life.
prayer and meditation helped her put her mundane worries aside

Recent Examples of mundane from the Web

Instead, the act of registering to vote and voting itself upon age eligibility seems mundane in comparison to, say, turning 16 and obtaining a driver’s license.

— gina ryder, Teen Vogue, "5 First-Time Voters on Who They Voted For," 24 Aug. 2017
This may be the first time in White House history that a White House official has gone on background to discuss something as mundane as a wallpaper refresh.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Trump Official Praises Oval Office Makeover, Blames Obama for Wallpaper Stains," 23 Aug. 2017
But little outside attention has been paid to how the state Department of Corrections handles mundane deaths and the bodies left behind.

— connor sheets, AL.com, "Death behind bars: Buried in Alabama's prison cemeteries, life sentences last beyond death," 6 Aug. 2017
By Maryam Mirzakhani’s standards, such problems were mundane.

— The Economist, "Adding upObituary: Maryam Mirzakhani died on July 14th," 20 July 2017
Physical therapy might seem mundane for some, but the 46-year-old from Austin, Texas, was ecstatic.

— carla k. johnson, The Seattle Times, "Health plan failure brings dread for Obamacare beneficiaries," 19 July 2017
Physical therapy might seem mundane for some, but the 46-year-old from Austin, Texas, was ecstatic.

— Washington Post, "Health plan’s fall brings dread for ‘Obamacare’ recipients," 19 July 2017
This simplicity is at the core of what Lowery has tapped into so hauntingly—that death, for all its unknowability, is frighteningly mundane.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "A Ghost Story Is a Haunting Modern Fable," 6 July 2017
Azor had written the lyrics, which were fairly mundane.

— dinitia smith, Daily Intelligencer, "Straight Outta Queens," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mundane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mundane

Middle English mondeyne, from Anglo-French mundain, from Late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus world

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First Known Use: 15th century

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mundane Synonyms

Synonyms

everyday, nitty-gritty, prosaic, terrestrial, workaday

Antonyms

heavenly, nontemporal, unearthly, unworldly

Related Words

earthly, temporal, worldly; average, common, commonplace, customary, familiar, garden, generic, normal, ordinary, plain, popular, routine, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine (or run-of-mine), standard, typical, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual; frequent, habitual, regular; expected, predictable

Near Antonyms

high-minded, lofty, noble, sublime; aberrant, abnormal, atypical; exceptional, extraordinary, freak, peculiar, phenomenal, rare, singular, special, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted; bizarre, curious, far-out, funny, odd, outlandish, out-of-the-way, outré, quaint, quirky, remarkable, screwy, strange, weird, wild

Synonym Discussion of mundane

earthly, worldly, mundane mean belonging to or characteristic of the earth. earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

- abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification

- worldly goods

and mundane suggesting reference to the immediate and practical.

- a mundane discussion of finances

MUNDANE Defined for English Language Learners

mundane

adjective

Definition of mundane for English Language Learners

: dull and ordinary
: relating to ordinary life on earth rather than to spiritual things

MUNDANE Defined for Kids

mundane

adjective mun·dane \ ˌmən-ˈdān , ˈmən-ˌdān \

Definition of mundane for Students

1 :dull and ordinary

I helped with mundane tasks, like doing dishes.

2 :relating to ordinary life on earth rather than spiritual things

Learn More about mundane

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mundane Spanish Central: Translation of mundane Nglish: Translation of mundane for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mundane for Arabic speakers

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Examples of mundane in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mundane from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mundane

mundane Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

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Synonym Discussion of mundane

MUNDANE Defined for English Language Learners

mundane

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mundane

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