humdrum
Americanadjective
noun
-
humdrum character or routine; monotony.
-
monotonous or tedious talk.
-
Archaic. a dull, boring person.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- humdrumness noun
Etymology
Origin of humdrum
1545–55; earlier humtrum, rhyming compound based on hum
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.
Private-market managers like humdrum annuities: long-term insurance policies popular with retirees because they offer a regular stream of payments.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025
And, given his humdrum season with Columbus Crew, how did Nancy get this job in the first place?
From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025
The market had been pretty humdrum for all of November, making the decline at the kickoff of December notable.
From Barron's • Dec. 8, 2025
You could buy a humdrum, middle-of-the-road robe from various big-box retailers, but a statement robe signals that you are, in fact, the kind of person who wants to be noticed and appreciated for their taste.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025
Then, on Day Eight, the humdrum routine that Genie and Ernie were actually starting to like was broken.
From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds
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.
