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

See Examples For:

doldrums

FAI is expected to have contracted further year to date, while the property sector remains stuck in the doldrums.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

As it restructures in a bid to escape the doldrums, Ubisoft in June closed studios in Canada's Winnipeg and the Serbian capital Belgrade.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

The reconstruction in the aftermath of the attack marked the start of Manchester's ascent from the doldrums of de-industrialisation.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Blame a combination of factors, including the lull following Emmy season, competition from the World Cup and the traditional summer doldrums.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

Trina had a smile on her face, and little Deedee was giggling heartily.The sound of it filled Mark up and washed away the doldrums.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner

Related Words

• gloom
• malaise
• slump
• stagnation
• stupor