humdrum

[ huhm-druhm ]

adjective

1. lacking variety; boring; dull:

   a humdrum existence.

   Synonyms: tiresome, mundane, routine, tedious

noun

1. humdrum character or routine; monotony.
2. monotonous or tedious talk.
3. Archaic. a dull, boring person.

humdrum

/ ˈhʌmˌdrʌm /

adjective

1. ordinary; dull

noun

1. a monotonous routine, task, or person

Derived Forms

• ˈhumˌdrumness, noun

Other Words From

• humdrumness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of humdrum¹

1545–55; earlier humtrum, rhyming compound based on hum

Word History and Origins

Origin of humdrum¹

C16: rhyming compound, probably based on hum

Example Sentences

Even the humdrum corners of capitalism are spawning intergenerational windfalls.

From ProPublica

Variants of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus have popped up in different corners of the world and while that might sound a bit scary it’s actually perfectly normal, or even “humdrum” as one Nature study puts it.

From Popular-Science

On paper, the basic announcement may look humdrum to savvy modern-gaming fans.

From Ars Technica

Narrator Jasmin Richardson improves on humdrum product descriptions by ad libbing jokes and inserting wry observations throughout the almost four-hour audio track.

From Quartz

But for some teens ISIS seems to symbolize power and purpose, a great drama promising deliverance from the humdrum.

From The Daily Beast

Most stars in the Milky Way have humdrum lives, tracing slow predictable orbits around the galactic center.

From The Daily Beast

Three things stand out in this simultaneously remarkable and humdrum bit of film.

From The Daily Beast

After all, who would want to watch a show about the humdrum life of a high school chemistry teacher with decent health insurance?

From The Daily Beast

It requires months—years, even—of archival research and humdrum detective work.

From The Daily Beast

One must employ one's self in some way, and we live such a humdrum life here that there is chance for very little variety.

From Project Gutenberg

In this humdrum place, that is so cool and quiet, and to me so congenial, there is but one interesting walk.

From Project Gutenberg

The winter became severe and stormy, confining us much to the house, and obliging us to lead very humdrum sort of lives.

From Project Gutenberg

The sameness, the humdrum tediousness of the everyday life drives them to the city.

From Project Gutenberg

Byrons life at Pisa, as afterwards at Genoa, was what most people would call a humdrum, dull existence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drab
• dreary
• everyday
• monotonous
• mundane
• plodding
• tedious
• uninteresting