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Intermediate Dictionary
       

dull

 
 
pronunciation:
duhl
parts of speech:
adjective, verb, intransitive verb
features:
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part of speech: adjective
inflections: duller, dullest
definition 1: not having a sharp cutting edge.
You cannot slice a tomato with a dull knife.
synonyms:
blunt
antonyms:
keen, sharp
definition 2: not interesting or lively; boring.
She fell asleep halfway through the principal's dull speech.
synonyms:
boring
antonyms:
charming, exciting, fascinating, interesting, lively, sensational
similar words:
dead, dreary, dry, flat, lifeless, monotonous, tame
definition 3: not smart; slow to learn.
He expects all athletes to be dull.
synonyms:
slow, stupid
antonyms:
bright, clever, keen, sharp, smart
similar words:
blunt, simple
definition 4: not felt in a sharp way.
The nurse asked whether the pain in his side was dull or sharp.
synonyms:
nagging
antonyms:
intense, sharp
similar words:
chronic, persistent
definition 5: not bright, shiny, or having much color.
The room looked dull, so we put up some colorful posters.
synonyms:
dim, drab
antonyms:
bright, colorful, gay, vivid
similar words:
dingy, dismal, dreary, flat, lusterless, monotonous, pale
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: dulls, dulling, dulled
definition: cause to become dull.
He dulled the knife by cutting wood with it.
synonyms:
blunt
antonyms:
sharpen
similar words:
blur, ease
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to become dull.
Her interest in photography has dulled since she started to study painting.
synonyms:
sharpen
derivations: dullish (adj.), dully (adv.), dullness (n.)
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