dull
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
duller;
dullest
duller;
dullest
Britannica Dictionary definition of DULL
1
:
not exciting or interesting
:
boring
-
a dull lecture/speaker
-
There's never a dull moment in our house. [=our house is always very busy or exciting]
2
:
having an edge or point that is not sharp
-
a dull [=blunt] knife
-
a dull pencil
3
of a sound
:
not clear and loud
-
the dull roar of the crowd
-
He heard a dull [=muffled] thud.
4
of pain
:
constant but not sharp or severe
-
She complained of a dull ache/pain in her knee.
5
:
not shiny
-
The paint has a dull finish.
-
The dog had no appetite and its eyes were dull.
6
:
not sunny
:
having a lot of clouds
7
:
slightly grayish or dark
:
not bright
-
a dull light
-
The sky was a dull blue.
8
old-fashioned
:
stupid or slow in understanding something
9
:
not having a lot of business or financial activity
-
a dull [=slow, sluggish] market
(as) dull as dishwater
(as) dull as ditchwater
— dullness
noun [noncount]-
I couldn't get past the dullness of the book's topic.
— dully
adverb-
He sat staring dully into the distance.
2
dull
/ˈdʌl/
verb
dulls;
dulled;
dulling
2
dull
/ˈdʌl/
verb
dulls;
dulled;
dulling
Britannica Dictionary definition of DULL
:
to become dull or to make (something) dull: such as
a
:
to become or cause (something) to become less clear, distinct, bright, or shiny
[+ object]
-
Fog dulled the morning sunlight.
-
Special earplugs dulled the sound of the chain saw.
[no object]
-
His hair dulled as he aged.
-
The dog's eyes dulled as he got sick.
b
[+ object]
:
to make (something, such as a feeling) less sharp, strong, or severe
-
She takes medicine to dull the pain.
-
Fear dulled his need for adventure.
-
(formal) Her mind was dulled by the medication.
c
:
to become or cause (something, such as a knife or blade) to become less sharp
[+ object]
-
The knife was dulled from use.
[no object]
-
The blade should be replaced as soon as it dulls.
