humdrum

adjective

hum·​drum ˈhəm-ˌdrəm 

: monotonous, dull

humdrum noun

Synonyms

• arid
• boring
• colorless
• drab
• dreary
• drudging
• dry
• dull
• dusty
• flat
• heavy
• ho-hum
• jading
• jejune
• leaden
• mind-numbing
• monochromatic
• monotonous
• numbing
• old
• pedestrian
• ponderous
• slow
• stale
• stodgy
• stuffy
• stupid
• tame
• tedious
• tiresome
• tiring
• uninteresting
• wearisome
• weary
• wearying

Examples of humdrum in a Sentence

She liked the movie, but I thought it was humdrum.

another humdrum day at the office

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s been a year, and his life has become routine, humdrum, and lonely. —Dana Feldman, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

But the almost bland textures of this section feel relevant to the whole project, as Erice sets up a stark contrast between the magic world of cinematic make-believe and the humdrum nature of base reality. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2024

Hacks shocked runaway favorite The Bear for best comedy at the 2024 Emmys Sunday night, injecting a jolt of drama into a humdrum race at the last possible moment. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Gloria and Ruby arrive soon enough, dragging husbands and humdrum lives from elsewhere in Britain, but Joan is the real phantom — no one in the family has seen her for twenty years. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of hum

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

humdrum

adjective

hum·​drum ˈhəm-ˌdrəm 

: monotonous sense 2, dull