dull

Everyday

1. Dull means boring, not interesting or exciting. tree →
2. Dull means not bright or shiny, like a grey sky or faded colours. tree →
3. A dull blade or pencil is not sharp. tree →
4. A dull sound or pain is not sharp or clear but soft and heavy. tree →
5. To dull something is to make it less strong or less bright. tree →

In the lessons

In writing lessons, children replace dull words with interesting ones. In weather, a dull day is cloudy and grey. In science, metals are shiny but some materials are dull. In health, a dull ache is a steady pain. Phrases: «a dull day», «never a dull moment», «a dull ache», «dull the pain».

Examples

• The film was so dull that I fell asleep. tree →
• It was a dull, grey morning. tree →
• This knife is dull; it won't cut the bread. tree →
• I heard a dull thud from upstairs. tree →
• He had a dull pain in his tooth. tree →
• Polish the dull spoons until they shine. tree →
• With my little brother around, there's never a dull moment. tree →
• The medicine dulled the pain. tree →
• Soon he found life in the pasture very dull. tree →

Note

Comparatives: duller, dullest. Opposites: «interesting», «exciting» (boring sense); «bright», «shiny» (look); «sharp» (blade). Safety oddity: a dull knife can be more dangerous because you push harder. In science, «dull» is a property of materials, opposite of «shiny». Not a number word.

In Jewish tradition

In the skin law, "dull white" describes a harmless spot that is clean. Elsewhere dull means slow to understand, or not able to hear well.

Interpretation. The priest judges the spot, and dull white means the person is clean. Jeremiah's "dull" ear is read as people who will not listen to God's word.

Examples

• then the priest shall look; and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be of a dull white, it is a tetter, it hath broken out in the skin: he is clean. (Torah LEV.13.39, JPS 1917) tree →
• Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed dull in your sight? (Writings JOB.18.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, their ear is dull, and they cannot attend; behold, the word of the LORD is become unto them a reproach, they have no delight in it. (Prophets JER.6.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Comparatives: duller, dullest. Opposites: «interesting», «exciting» (boring sense); «bright», «shiny» (look); «sharp» (blade). Safety oddity: a dull knife can be more dangerous because you push harder. In science, «dull» is a property of materials, opposite of «shiny». Not a number word.