humdrum

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English

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Etymology

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Possible reduplication of hum, 1550s.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈhʌmdɹʌm/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

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humdrum (comparative more humdrum, superlative most humdrum)

  1. Lacking variety or excitement; dull; boring.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:boring
    • 1952, Daphne Du Maurier, “Monte Verità”, in The Apple Tree:
      In the valley there would have been feasting and celebration, and then dancing at the wedding, and afterwards the turmoil of a brief romance turning to humdrum married life, the cares of her house, the cares of children, anxiety, fret, illness, trouble, the day-by-day routine of growing old.
    • 1999, Lucy Honig, The Truly Needy And Other Stories, University of Pittsburgh Press, →ISBN, page 89:
      He suggested cusk, because he knew they would have it. She had never heard of cusk. “Doesn't it sound exotic!” she said. “Exotic indeed!” he laughed, and almost told her what a humdrum fish it really was, but stopped himself.
    • 2017 November 10, Daniel Taylor, “Youthful England earn draw with Germany but Lingard rues late miss”, in The Guardian (London)[1]:
      With that kind of line-up it was probably inevitable that there would be a few spells when England looked what they were: a team that was trying to find some rhythm, unbeaten for eight years in humdrum qualifying groups but still not entirely sure about whether that makes them any good.

Translations

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Noun

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humdrum (countable and uncountable, plural humdrums)

  1. (uncountable) The quality of lacking variety or excitement.
    Synonyms: dullness, monotony
  2. (countable, dated) A stupid fellow.
    • 1834, Elizabeth Frances Dagley, The Young Seer, Or Early Searches Into Futurity, page 103:
      So, after settling it that Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were complete country humdrums, the daughters hoydens, the sons awkward half-dandies, and the company altogether any thing but agreeable, she came to a conclusion she had done fifty times before, that the country was not like London.

Translations

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