doldrums

[ dohl-druhmz, dol-, dawl- ]

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

doldrums

/ 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

doldrums

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of doldrums¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of doldrums¹

C19: probably from Old English dol dull , influenced by tantrum

Idioms and Phrases

see in the doldrums .

Example Sentences

The prospects for geothermal—energy extracted from the nuclear furnace at the Earth’s core—are rising after decades in the doldrums.

From Quartz

His successor, the first George Bush was at a loss about how to respond to the economic doldrums of the early 1990s.

From The Daily Beast

But the Republicans have the greatest opportunity to offer an alternate economic vision to the Obama doldrums.

From The Daily Beast

But in these scorching summer doldrums of 2013, you have to wonder: did it have to be this disappointing?

From The Daily Beast

Here's something to chew on while I'm gone: what if the current doldrums are the new normal?

From The Daily Beast

The campaign will now stagger through the February doldrums.

From The Daily Beast

Both got in the doldrums near the Start mark, but taking a chill 'Navahoe' got away with a long lead.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, well, there was no sense in staying in the doldrums forever.

From Project Gutenberg

A low-pressure area of calm, light variable winds near the equator is known to mariners as the doldrums.

From Project Gutenberg

Our vegetables gave out and we drank too much rain water and ate too much fresh fish down in the Doldrums.

From Project Gutenberg

In the calm, windless doldrums, he never came up on deck but what the aroma of whisky travelled with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gloom
• malaise
• slump
• stagnation
• stupor