boredom

American  

[bawr-duhm] / ˈbɔr dəm /

noun

1. the state of being bored; the feeling of being wearied by dullness, tedious repetition, etc.

   Synonyms:

   ennui, tedium, weariness, doldrums, dullness

   Antonyms:

   amusement, diversion, excitement

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boredom British  

/ ˈbɔːdəm /

noun

1. the state of being bored; tedium

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Etymology

Origin of boredom

First recorded in 1850–55; bore ¹ + -dom

Example Sentences

Curling was born in Scotland in the early 16th century but grew up centuries later on the Canadian prairies, where the severe weather, rural landscape and boredom provided fertile ground.

From Los Angeles Times

"If you can name what they are feeling, like frustration or boredom, it will reduce the intensity by 50%," she says.

From BBC

His immortal creatures are dull, repetitive, empty; they express the ancient Greeks’ idea that the immortal gods suffer from terminal boredom.

From The Wall Street Journal

Professional musician Anthony Pratt came up with the idea to stave off the boredom of the blackouts during World War Two in Birmingham, with his wife Elva designing the now iconic board.

From BBC

“Close my eyes! Very well. I will humor you, but only out of boredom.”

From Literature

Related Words

• apathy
• disgust
• ennui
• fatigue
• indifference
• lethargy
• monotony
• tedium