dull
19
2.8
- 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.
- I mean, this guy is dull intellectually, as you can imagine.
- I'm, I'm, I'm so sorry, I'm really, really dull on animal rights.
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
945
3.2
Not able to understand or learn things quickly
297
4.4
Not quick to learn or understand things
28
6.5
Slow to understand and not quick to learn
24
6.8
Slow to understand what others explain
14
7.4
Slow to understand what other people mean
1
9.9
Someone who is not smart and slow to understand
Slow to understand things
Slow to understand or act because they are tired
Antonyms
Compounds
How Intelligent
Surface Forms
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'.