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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
doldrums British  
/ ˈdɒldrəmz /

noun

  1. a depressed or bored state of mind

  2. a state of inactivity or stagnation

    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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

doldrums Idioms  

  1. see in the doldrums.

Etymology

Origin of doldrums

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

While headline investment returned to growth in January-February, the rebound was mostly driven by strong public spending, and private investment continued to decline as the property sector stayed in the doldrums.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

But overall the fallout from the war is another blow for Europe's traditional industrial powerhouse as it is struggling to rebound after a long period in the doldrums.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

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

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

Thomas wanted to stand up and cheer, sure that Alby would finally snap out of his doldrums.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.