Dreary: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing something that is dull, depressing, or lacking in excitement, often related to mood and weather.

• The dreary weather made everyone feel down.
• The movie was long and dreary, putting most of the audience to sleep.

Best for situations that are hopeless, empty, or severe, often used for landscapes or situations that look devoid of life.

• The landscape was bleak and desolate, with not a living thing in sight.
• Her future seemed bleak after the company went bankrupt.

Best for describing a situation, weather, or mood that is dark, sad, or pessimistic.

• The gloomy weather matched his somber mood.
• The report presented a gloomy outlook for the economy.

Use when something is lacking color, brightness, or interest, mostly used for descriptions of physical appearance, decor, or fashion.

• The office decor was very drab, making it a dull place to work.
• She wore a drab outfit that made her blend into the background.

Suitable for describing something that causes a mood of sadness or gloom, often with a sense of failure or disappointment. This word has a negative connotation.

• The team's performance was dismal, leading to their early exit from the competition.
• He felt dismal after hearing the bad news.

Use this word to describe something that is depressingly dull or bleak, often associated with a gloomy atmosphere or feeling.

• The weather was dreary, with grey clouds covering the sky
• The room looked dreary without any decorations

This word is suitable for describing something that is lacking in interest or excitement, often perceived as boring.

• The lecture was so dull that students started to fall asleep
• The movie was dull, and I almost walked out of the theater

This word is ideal for describing tasks or activities that are tiresome and take a lot of time, often becoming annoying or boring due to their length or repetitiveness.

• Filling out the paperwork was a tedious process
• The tedious hike seemed to last forever

Use this word to describe something that fails to excite, motivate, or stimulate creativity, often viewed as boring or dull.

• The presentation was uninspiring, and the audience looked disinterested
• The book was uninspiring and failed to capture my attention

Use this word to describe something that is repetitive and unvarying, often causing boredom due to lack of variety.

• The factory work was monotonous, with the same tasks repeated every day
• Her voice was monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged

This word is repeated and seems to be a duplicate of the first entry. It's best used to describe dull and monotonous conditions.

• The town seemed dreary and lifeless during the winter.

This is a simple and commonly used word to describe a feeling of unhappiness or sorrow. It is typically used for emotions and can apply to both people and situations.

• She felt sad after saying goodbye to her friend.
• It was a sad story about a lost puppy.

This word describes a deep, lingering sadness that is often accompanied by a pensive or reflective mood. It is a more poetic or literary term.

• The melancholic music made her think about the past.
• He had a melancholic expression on his face as he watched the sunset.

This word is often used to talk about weather or settings that are dark, sad, and depressing. It can also describe a person's mood.

• The room felt gloomy with its lack of windows.
• He had a gloomy outlook on life after the incident.

This word is best used when describing a person who feels down, disappointed, or in low spirits, typically because of a failure or setback.

• She felt dejected after not getting the job she wanted.
• He looked dejected when he heard the bad news.