English Dictionary

Definition of “dreary

dreary (ˈdrɪərɪPronunciation for dreary

Definitions

adjective

Word forms: drearier, dreariest
  1. sad or dull; dismal
  2. wearying; boring
  3. archaic miserable
Also (literary)

Alternative Forms

ˈdrearily adverb ˈdreariness noun

Word Origin

Old English drēorig  gory; related to Old High German trūreg sad

Usage examples

  • The rest of the walk to Buckkeep Castle seemed cold and dreary.
    Robin Hobb, THE GOLDEN FOOL: Book Two of the Tawny Man (2002)
  • The name popularly given to the scheme - the'affordable housing ' project - pretty much sums up its dreary quality.
    Spiked (2003)
  • In the second stanza of an early poem she declared: "How dreary - to be - Somebody!
    Irish Times (2002)
  • No amount of pre-publication hype can disguise an ultimately dreary Dutchman.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Most people are far too busy with their own affairs to get involved with the dreary subject of politics.
    Cockett, Richard, Thinking the Unthinkable (1994)

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