dull

UK: dʌl | US: dʌl

Definition

  1. adj. lacking sharpness or brightness; blunt

  2. adj. boring or uninteresting

  3. vt. to make less sharp or intense

Structure
dull <blunt, from Old English *dol*>
Etymology

The word "dull" traces back to Old English dol, meaning "foolish" or "blunt," likely influenced by Proto-Germanic dulaz. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe physical bluntness (e.g., a dull knife) and metaphorical lack of sharpness (e.g., a dull mind or dull conversation). The semantic shift reflects a logical connection between physical and intellectual "sharpness."

Examples

  1. The knife became dull after years of use.

  2. His lecture was so dull that half the audience fell asleep.

  3. She tried to dull the pain with medication.

  4. The cloudy sky made the sunlight appear dull.

  5. Repetitive tasks can dull one’s creativity.