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dull

dull

29 2.8
Slow to notice or react to things
  • adjective
  • /dʌl/
  • Offensive
: tonto
  • His face is ashen, mouth open, his dull eyes looking out in a fixed stare.

I mean, this guy is dull intellectually, as you can imagine.

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Examples

  • We don't pay attention to him because we know how dull he is.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Despite his kind nature, many find him dull because he rarely engages in interesting topics.

  • My brother's only dull, but not stupid.

  • Really, you are very dull.

  • I mean, this guy is dull intellectually, as you can imagine.

  • Link's expression was dull, almost monotonous.

  • Unfortunately, though a capable manager of the family, Anne was dull-witted and lacking in formal education.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Perhaps he's dull, stubborn, entrenched in his position, or just plain stupid.

    Academic text (2016)
  • - I don’t think you’re as dull as you pretend to be, William.

  • He can be quite dull in conversations, often missing cues when others are joking.

Synonyms

dumb
vsdull
  • Offensive
∞ 3.2

Not able to understand or learn things quickly

also implies being unalert and slow to notice or react, not only low understanding
slow
vsdull
  • Offensive
47 4.4

Not quick to learn or understand things

also covers lack of alertness and slowness to notice or react
dense
vsdull
  • Offensive
28 6.8

Slow to understand what others explain

is milder and less insulting in tone than that stronger lack of intelligence
dim
vsdull
  • Offensive
24 6.5

Slow to understand and not quick to learn

also covers being unalert and slow to notice or react beyond poor understanding
obtuse
vsdull
  • Offensive
17 7.4

Slow to understand what other people mean

also involves being unalert and slow to notice or react, not only blunt thinking
gormless
vsdull
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Someone who is not smart and slow to understand

adds low energy or drive to the meaning, not just slow thinking
dullish
vsdull
  • Offensive
1 5.8

Slow to understand things

is the stronger term showing clear lack of alertness or quickness
gaumless
vsdull
  • Offensive
9.9

Slow to understand or act because they are tired

emphasizes sluggishness and low energy as well as poor understanding

Antonyms

548 3.4

Able to think, understand, and learn new things

210 3.3

Quick at noticing small details and understanding things

127 2.8

Quick to notice and respond to what is happening

Compounds

1 4.2

A white color that is not bright or shiny

1 4.1

A soft purple colour that is not bright

How Intelligent

brilliant
700 3.7
bright
315 1.2
average
∞ 1.0
dull
  • Offensive
29 2.8
slow-witted
  • Offensive
4 6.7

Surface Forms

dull positive

Etymology

The word dull comes from an old English word meaning 'slow' or 'stupid' and is related to dolt. That original sense of being 'slow' explains why we call a person slow to notice or think 'dull'.