leaden

American  

[led-n] / ˈlɛd n /

adjective

1. inertly heavy like lead; hard to lift or move.

   a leaden weight; leaden feet.

2. dull, spiritless, or gloomy, as in mood or thought.

   leaden prose; a leaden atmosphere.

3. of a dull gray color.

   leaden skies.

4. oppressive; heavy.

   a leaden silence.

5. sluggish; listless.

   They moved at a leaden pace.

6. of poor quality or little value.

7. made or consisting of lead.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make leaden, sluggish, dull, etc..

   Fatigue had leadened his brain and step.

leaden British  

/ ˈlɛdən /

adjective

1. heavy and inert

2. laboured or sluggish

   leaden steps

3. gloomy, spiritless, or lifeless

4. made partly or wholly of lead

5. of a dull greyish colour

   a leaden sky

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Other Word Forms

• leadenly adverb
• leadenness noun

Etymology

Origin of leaden

before 1000; Middle English leden, Old English lēaden. See lead ², -en ²

Example Sentences

Perhaps an exhibition could explore Jewish artists wrestling with their traditions, but here these objects land like leaden agitprop.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Sweeney is good, even when the leaden dialogue does her a disservice.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2025

Under leaden skies in St John's Wood, South Africa exploited favourable bowling conditions after Bavuma had won the toss.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2025

I’d follow a recipe to the letter and still end up squinting at the oven door, trying to gauge whether I’d accidentally created something leaden or gummy or wrong.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2025

I was burdened with a leaden fear as I kept speaking engagements all over America.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• ponderous
• weighty