Dreary
'drɪəri
Definitions
2 meaningsCausing feelings of sadness, gloom, or boredom; depressing.
'drɪəri
Causing sadness or gloom; depressing.
The long, dreary winter months can be tough on people's moods.
💡 Simply: Imagine a super boring day where nothing exciting happens, like when you have to sit in a long car ride on a rainy day or clean your room. That's a dreary day!
👶 For kids: When something is dreary, it means it is boring and makes you feel a little sad.
More Examples
The room was a dreary, gray color, lacking any warmth or personality.
He found the repetitive tasks of his job to be incredibly dreary.
How It's Used
"The dreary landscape of the moor filled her with a sense of melancholy."
"It's been a dreary day with all this rain."
Lacking in interest, excitement, or variety; dull.
'drɪəri
Lacking in interest or variety.
He found the routine of his job to be dreary and uninspiring.
💡 Simply: If everything looks the same, like a neighborhood where all the houses are the same color and shape, that's a dreary place. It's not exciting or interesting.
👶 For kids: When something is dreary, it means it is boring and not interesting, like looking at the same thing over and over.
More Examples
The architecture of the building was considered to be dreary and uninspired.
The landscape outside looked dreary, covered in a thick fog.
How It's Used
"The town was known for its dreary suburban sprawl."
"The report highlighted the dreary effects of urban decay."
From Old English *drēorig* ('sad, mournful'), related to *drēor* ('gore, blood'). The sense of gloom and dullness developed over time.
The word 'dreary' has been used in English literature for centuries to describe feelings of sorrow and sadness.
Memory tip
Think of a dreary day as a 'dread-y' day—full of things you dread.
Word Origin
"bloody, sad"