mundane

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

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

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Examples: mundane in a Sentence

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

In this nation’s overloaded medical system, AI is seen as a way of freeing pressured doctors from mundane tasks such as report writing, and increasing efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.

— robyn dixon, latimes.com, "China plans to dominate AI, with a vanguard of robotic doctors like 'Biomind'," 6 July 2018
Researchers cannot yet say whether their discovery stems from life or a more mundane geological process.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "'Building blocks' for life discovered in 3-billion-year-old organic matter on Mars," 7 June 2018
People have very strong feelings about the most mundane things.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "What Type of Person You Are, According to How You Store Your Bread," 15 Aug. 2017
This year’s affair should be no different, a stark contrast from a mundane 0-0 draw last week for New England against Seattle.

— dan shulman, BostonGlobe.com, "Galaxy of stars await Revolution," 14 July 2018
In Eighth Grade, middle school is a minefield of mundane horrors.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "The Stars Of Eighth Grade Relive Their Middle School Horror Stories," 13 July 2018
This familiar premise leads to a twist: Instead of adrenaline rush suspense scenes, this plot languishes in mundane melancholia.

— jason zinoman, New York Times, "Review: In ‘The Night Eats the World,’ Zombie Apocalypse Now, Again," 12 July 2018
Other mundane details from our waking life does appear often dreams: waiting rooms, schools, dentist offices.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "Do Humans Dream Of Smartphones?," 7 July 2018
Such are the few passing, mundane details from the Tsaritsa’s diary that have come down to us of the family in their final days and hours.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Inside the Romanov Family's Final Days," 1 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

mundane Synonyms

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