Humdrum - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Humdrum means dull, monotonous, or lacking excitement. It describes routines or situations that are repetitive and uninteresting, often causing boredom or weariness. Example: a humdrum job.
Definition:
Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous.
Synonyms:
mundane, tedious, monotonous, boring
Part of Speech:
adjective, noun
Antonyms:
exciting, thrilling
Common Collocations:
humdrum life, humdrum routine, humdrum existence
Derivatives:
humdrumness (noun), humdrumly (adverb)
Usage Tips:
Use "humdrum" to describe repetitive or uninteresting routines or situations to emphasize their dullness.
Common Phrases:
break the humdrum, escape the humdrum, humdrum of daily life
Etymology:
Originated in the 16th century from "hum" (monotonous sound) + "drum" (repetitive noise).
Examples:
- 1. She grew tired of her humdrum job at the factory.
- 2. The small town’s humdrum lifestyle bored the adventurous traveler.
- 3. His days were filled with humdrum tasks and little excitement.
- 4. They longed to escape the humdrum of their daily routine.