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

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 box office has been in the doldrums for years, with fewer hits, more flops and lower total receipts than before the pandemic.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That could bode good news for the sector’s future share-price performance, which has been in the doldrums since auto dealer Tricolor’s bankruptcy on Sept. 10 first made investors wary this year.

Read more on MarketWatch

Still, the reconstructive surgery space isn’t totally in the doldrums, with the fundamentals in the market remaining in place, according to Singh.

Read more on Barron's

They had been really in the doldrums, but to see that guy out there warming up in the bullpen — I mean, that is throwback stuff, man.

Read more on Salon

Consumer sentiment remains in the doldrums despite record highs in the stock market.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• gloom 
• malaise 
• slump 
• stagnation 
• stupor