doldrums

American  

[dohl-druhmz, dol-, dawl-] / ˈdoʊl drəmz, ˈdɒl-, ˈdɔl- /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a state of inactivity or stagnation, as in business or art.

   August is a time of doldrums for many enterprises.

2. the doldrums,

   1. a belt of calms and light baffling winds north of the equator between the northern and southern trade winds in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

   2. the weather prevailing in this area.

3. a dull, listless, depressed mood; low spirits.

   Synonyms:

   dejection, melancholy, gloom, depression

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doldrums British  

/ ˈdɒldrəmz /

noun

1. a depressed or bored state of mind

2. a state of inactivity or stagnation

3. 1. a belt of light winds or calms along the equator

   2. the weather conditions experienced in this belt, formerly a hazard to sailing vessels

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doldrums Scientific  

/ dōl′drəmz′ /

1. A region of the globe found over the oceans near the equator in the intertropical convergence zone and having weather characterized variously by calm air, light winds, or squalls and thunderstorms. Hurricanes originate in this region.

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doldrums Idioms  

1. see in the doldrums.

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Etymology

Origin of doldrums

First recorded in 1795–1805; obsolete dold stupid ( see dolt) + -rum(s) (plural) noun suffix ( see tantrum)

Explanation

Doldrums aren’t drums that you can play like the tom-toms. Rather people use this noun to describe a period of time that is boring, depressing, or characterized by inactivity. The noun doldrums is derived from the word dull. If you’ve been vegging out in front of the TV for hours, bored out of your mind, you might say you’re "in the doldrums." This word is often used in phrases describing a slump in the economy or as in “the summer doldrums” to describe the hot, lazy days of summer.

Example Sentences

In the doldrums of COVID, Gil would come around to check in on the renovation.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

A modest decline in oil prices on Monday proved enough to lift U.S. stocks out of last week’s doldrums, with investors showing cautious optimism about efforts to resolve the Middle East energy crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

All hail the WBC, 20 years old and all grown up, its sixth incarnation stealing the stage in a sweet spot during NBA doldrums and before March Madness.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Linda had not merely been there to stave off the post-Beatles doldrums.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

After three weeks of the doldrums I made Ruth May get out of bed.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• gloom
• malaise
• slump
• stagnation
• stupor