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

Lego in 2018 was stuck in the doldrums.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

Canada is facing some economic doldrums, Tostenson said, but "you learn that if you give people a real reason to spend their money and give them value, they'll spend it".

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 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

A strong showing for “Toy Story 5” will further fuel a recovery of the box office this year from the post-pandemic doldrums.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

We had been in the doldrums for months, but as we staited to prepare ourselves for our testimony, we were eager to go on the offensive.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• gloom
• malaise
• slump
• stagnation
• stupor