Dreary: meaning, definitions and examples

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dreary

[ˈdrɪəri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

weather

dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing or causing sadness

Synonyms

bleak, dismal, drab, gloomy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dreary	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.
bleak	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.
gloomy	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.
drab	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.
dismal	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.

Examples of usage

The dreary weather made me want to stay indoors all day.
The dreary landscape matched his somber mood perfectly.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

atmosphere

lacking in liveliness, charm, or interest; dull and monotonous

Synonyms

dull, monotonous, tedious, uninspiring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dreary	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
dull	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
tedious	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
uninspiring	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
monotonous	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

Examples of usage

The party had a dreary atmosphere, with no music or decorations.
The old house had a dreary feel to it, with its peeling paint and creaky floors.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

expression

showing a lack of enthusiasm or happiness; gloomy or melancholic

Synonyms

dejected, gloomy, melancholic, sad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dreary	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.
sad	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.
melancholic	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.
gloomy	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.
dejected	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.

Examples of usage

His dreary expression hinted at the troubles he was going through.
The meeting had a dreary tone as nobody seemed excited about the new project.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word has roots in Middle English, where it was spelled 'drearie', originating from the Old English 'drēor', meaning 'gloomy'.
Dreary has connections to old descriptions of weather, often linked to rain, fog, or overcast skies that make people feel down.
The term is often used in literature to enhance the mood and tone, setting a somber stage for the story.

Psychology

Feeling dreary can often result from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to changes in seasons.
Color psychology associates gray and dull colors with feelings of sadness and lethargy, reinforcing the concept of a dreary mood.
Research suggests that dreary environments—those lacking light and color—can adversely affect mood and productivity.

Literature

Classic authors like Charles Dickens used dreary settings to mirror characters’ emotional states, enhancing the drama of their narratives.
The beloved children's book 'The Wind in the Willows' features dreary weather that influences the mood of events unfolding among the characters.
Depressing or dreary settings in poetry often reflect themes of loss, loneliness, and the passage of time.

Pop Culture

Movies often use dreary weather to create mood, using rain or overcast skies during sad scenes to enhance viewers' emotional responses.
In music, artists like The Smiths have songs that evoke feelings of dreariness, often resonating with fans regarding personal struggles.
Art movements, like Romanticism, played with dreary themes to highlight human emotions against wild or somber backdrops.

Nature

Dreary weather is frequently associated with less biodiversity, as many species become inactive or seek shelter during rainy or gloomy periods.
Certain plants can thrive in dreary conditions, such as those found in temperate rainforests, which are rich in biodiversity despite the gloomy atmosphere.
Meteorologically, prolonged dreariness can lead to phenomena like 'cabin fever,' where individuals become restless due to confinement during long stretches of overcast weather.

Translations

Translations of the word "dreary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sombrio

🇮🇳 उदास

🇩🇪 trostlos

🇮🇩 muram

🇺🇦 похмурий

🇵🇱 ponury

🇯🇵 陰鬱な

🇫🇷 morose

🇪🇸 sombrío

🇹🇷 kasvetli

🇰🇷 음울한

🇸🇦 كئيب

🇨🇿 ponurý

🇸🇰 ponurý

🇨🇳 阴沉的

🇸🇮 turoben

🇮🇸 drungalegur

🇰🇿 көңілсіз

🇬🇪 მოღრუბლული

🇦🇿 boz

🇲🇽 sombrío

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,624, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11621 prolific
11622 illusions
11623 apologize
11624 dreary
11625 acquitted
11626 molybdenum
11627 cycling
...