Basic Details
Word: Dull
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not bright, interesting, or lively; lacking excitement or sharpness.
Synonyms: Boring, uninteresting, bland, mundane
Antonyms: Exciting, lively, interesting, sharp
Idioms and Phrases
- Dull as dishwater: Used to describe something very boring. Example: "The movie was dull as dishwater; I fell asleep halfway through."
- To dull the edge: To lessen enthusiasm or interest in something. Example: "The long meeting did dull the edge of our excitement for the project."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The dull grey sky made everyone feel sleepy and unenthusiastic.
Example 2: His speech was so dull that many people in the audience began to yawn.
Example 3: She tried to spice up the dull meal with some herbs and spices.
Fun Fact
The word "dull" comes from the Old Norse word "dul," which means "blunt" or "not sharp." Over time, it has evolved to describe things that lack brightness or interest.
Famous Quote
"Boring is a choice." - Gordon W. Allport
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "dull" mean?
a) Exciting and vibrant
b) Not bright or interesting
c) Sharp and pointy
d) Colourful and vivid
Answer: b) Not bright or interesting
2. Which of these is a synonym of "dull"?
a) Exciting
b) Thrilling
c) Boring
d) Brilliant
Answer: c) Boring
3. Which sentence uses "dull" correctly?
a) The dull knife sliced through the bread easily.
b) The dull colours of the painting were very striking.
c) I find math quite dull compared to science.
d) The dull child won the art competition.
Answer: c) I find math quite dull compared to science.
4. Which idiom means the same as "dull"?
a) Dull as dishwater
b) Bright as a button
c) Sharp as a tack
d) Full of life and colour
Answer: a) Dull as dishwater
5. What is the opposite of "dull"?
a) Uninteresting
b) Sharp
c) Exciting
d) Boring
Answer: c) Exciting
