adjective / noun
humdrum
HUM-drum/ˈhʌmdrʌm/
Dull sameness with little excitement or variety.
The humdrum chore leaves the man bored as he folds another identical towel.
Etymology
Probably a reduplication of hum, the word turns the idea of a continuing drone into a description of life or activity without variety or excitement.
In context
It was rumoured that he was tired of the humdrum life among the people in our parts, and longing to go back and wander off on the tramp
More examples
- She escapes the humdrum of office life by painting.
- Music makes humdrum chores a little more enjoyable.
- An unexpected visitor livens up an otherwise humdrum evening.
Forms
humdrum
Similar words
- monotonous
- Emphasizes tiresome repetition, especially of sounds or activities.
- mundane
- Emphasizes ordinary, everyday qualities rather than repetitive sameness.
- monotony
- Names the dull sameness that humdrum can also describe.