# dull

/ˈdəɫ/ (US) · /dˈʌl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dull
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. boring

adjective · CEFR B1

not interesting or exciting in any way.

For teachers: lacking interest or excitement; tedious.

- The lecture was so dull that half the students fell asleep.
- The critic dismissed the film as a dull repetition of tropes that have been explored more effectively in earlier works.

### 2. not sharp

adjective · CEFR B2

having an edge that is not sharp and cannot cut easily.

For teachers: lacking a sharp edge or point; blunt.

- It is difficult to chop vegetables with such a dull knife.
- The carpenter set aside the dull chisel, noting that the blade required significant honing before it could produce a clean cut.

### 3. not bright or shiny

adjective · CEFR B1

not bright, shiny, or clear; often used for colours or weather.

For teachers: lacking brilliance or luster; matte or overcast.

- The sky was a dull grey just before the rain started to fall.
- Years of neglect had left the silver trophy with a dull finish that resisted even the most vigorous polishing.

### 4. low intensity pain

adjective · CEFR B2

used to describe a pain that is not sharp but stays for a long time.

For teachers: describing a physical sensation that is indistinct, muffled, or lacking in sharpness but persistent.

- He felt a dull ache in his lower back after working in the garden.
- The patient complained of a dull, throbbing sensation in her temples that intensified whenever she was exposed to bright light.

### 5. to reduce intensity

verb · CEFR B2

to make a feeling, pain, or sound less strong or sharp.

For teachers: to moderate, soften, or reduce the intensity of a sensation or quality.

- The doctor gave her some medicine to dull the pain after the surgery.
- The heavy curtains were designed to dull the noise from the busy street outside, creating a quiet sanctuary for the residents.

### 6. to make less sharp

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make an edge less sharp through use or damage.

For teachers: to remove the sharpness of an edge or point; to blunt.

- Cutting through thick cardboard will quickly dull your scissors.
- Constant contact with the abrasive sandy soil served to dull the plough's blade far sooner than the farmer had anticipated.

## Examples

- The medicine helps to dull the sharp pain in my back.
- Years of heavy use will eventually dull the blade of even the highest quality kitchen knife.
- The architect chose a matte finish to dull the reflection of the midday sun against the glass facade, preventing a harsh glare for the neighbors.

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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.