Word
mundane
Phoneticsmun·dane, stress on the second syllable
US/mənˈdeɪn/
UK/mʌndˈeɪn/
Definitions
01ordinary and boring
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. boring because it is ordinary and happens every day.
adj. lacking interest or excitement; dull and routine.
“He found the mundane tasks of cleaning and filing very tiring.”
“The novel focuses on the mundane details of daily life rather than grand adventures or dramatic plot twists.”
Antonyms
02worldly or physical
C1 · Advanced Religion Formal
adj. relating to the physical world rather than spiritual or heavenly things.
adj. relating to the earthly or material world as opposed to the spiritual or celestial realm.
“The monk left his mundane life behind to live in the mountains.”
“The philosopher argued that we must balance our spiritual aspirations with our mundane responsibilities to society.”
03an ordinary person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Slang · Informal
n. a person who is considered normal or boring by people in a special group.
n. a person who is not part of a particular subculture, often used in a critical or mocking way.
“The fans at the convention joked about how the mundanes on the street were staring at their costumes.”
“Within the community, anyone who did not share their niche obsession was dismissed as a mere mundane.”
Synonyms
Usage
Typically used to describe tasks, routines, or environments. Often follows linking verbs like 'become', 'seem', or 'feel'.
Real-World Examples
“It also seems to be without much of a plot, making the mundane bleakness of Sophie’s life even harder to stomach.” “Instead, they point to something more mundane: they think that parents of young children simply have fewer face-to-face contacts with medical professionals than they did 10 or 15 years ago.” Etymology
From Middle English mondeyne, from Old French mondain, from Late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus (“world”). Compare Danish mondæn.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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