# tedious

/ˈtidiəs/ (US) · /tˈiːdɪəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tedious
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

boring and lasting for a long time. You use this to describe tasks or situations that feel slow and tiring because they are repetitive.

For teachers: tiresome by reason of length, slowness, or dullness. Often describes repetitive manual or administrative tasks that lack variety.

## Examples

- Checking every line of the report was a tedious job.
- The commute became tedious after the third week of train delays and heavy traffic.
- While the initial research was exciting, the subsequent data entry proved so tedious that the team struggled to maintain their focus over the long winter months.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'become', 'find', or 'seem'.

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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.