# dreary

/ˈdɹɪɹi/ (US) · /dɹˈiəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dreary
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. dull and depressing

adjective · CEFR B2

boring and making you feel unhappy, usually because it is dark, grey, or never changes.

For teachers: characterised by dullness and a lack of cheer; causing feelings of boredom or mild depression.

- The weather was dreary and grey, so we decided to stay inside all day.
- After three weeks of dreary rain and overcast skies, the residents were desperate for even a few minutes of direct sunlight.

### 2. boring and repetitive

adjective · CEFR B2

describes work or a situation that is very boring and seems to go on forever.

For teachers: lacking interest or excitement; monotonous and tiresome in nature.

- He spent the afternoon doing dreary paperwork that no one would ever read.
- The clerk found the dreary routine of filing invoices increasingly difficult to bear as the years went by.

## Examples

- The weather today is very dreary and grey.
- She spent the whole afternoon doing dreary paperwork in a small office without any windows.
- The novel captures the dreary atmosphere of a coastal town in winter, where the constant rain and empty streets reflect the protagonist's internal isolation.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.