adj.
Pronunciation: ' d ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English dul; akin to Old English dol foolish, Old Irish dall blind
Date: 13th century
1 : mentally slow : STUPID
2 a : slow in perception or sensibility : INSENSIBLE <somewhat dull of hearing> b : lacking zest or vivacity : LISTLESS <a dull performance>
3 : slow in action : SLUGGISH
4 a : lacking in force, intensity, or sharpness <a dull ache> b : not resonant or ringing <a dull booming sound>
5 : lacking sharpness of edge or point <a dull knife>
6 : lacking brilliance or luster <a dull finish>
7 of a color : low in saturation and low in lightness
8 : CLOUDY < dull weather>
9 : TEDIOUS , UNINTERESTING < dull lectures>
– dull · ness also dul · ness \ ' d ə l-n ə s \ noun
– dul · ly \ ' d ə (l)-l ē \ adverb
synonyms DULL , BLUNT , OBTUSE mean not sharp, keen, or acute. DULL suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency <a dull pain> <a dull mind>. BLUNT suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception <a person of blunt sensibility>. OBTUSE implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination <too obtuse to take the hint>. synonym see in addition STUPID