Ennui
ɑːnˈwiː
Definitions
A feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction; boredom.
ɑːnˈwiː
A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
The long, dreary winter days filled her with ennui.
💡 Simply: Have you ever felt super bored, like you have nothing interesting to do, and nothing excites you? That's ennui! It's that feeling of being blah and uninspired.
👶 For kids: It's like being bored all the time, even when you have toys or friends!
More Examples
He suffered from a profound sense of ennui after retiring from his demanding job.
The constant routine of her work had led to a deep sense of ennui.
How It's Used
"The novel explored themes of existential ennui."
"Chronic ennui can be a symptom of depression."
Idioms & expressions
to feel ennui
To experience a state of boredom and dissatisfaction.
"I began to feel ennui during the long holiday season."
the ennui of a summer afternoon
A specific type of boredom or listlessness often associated with the leisurely pace of summer.
"The movie captured the ennui of a summer afternoon, with scenes of listless characters and slow-moving plots."
From French, literally 'weariness' or 'boredom', derived from the Old French word 'enui' (annoyance, trouble).
The word 'ennui' gained popularity in English during the Romantic period, often used to describe a certain melancholy or dissatisfaction with life, common among the upper classes.
Memory tip
Think of 'en-nui' as 'in-nothingness', a state of being filled with nothing, thus boredom.