What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
boredom
Example
I'm so bored, there's nothing to do. [bored: adjective]
Example
She felt a sense of boredom during the long lecture. [boredom: noun]
ennui
Example
He experienced a deep sense of ennui after doing the same job for years. [ennui: noun]
Example
The rainy weather added to her feelings of ennui and made her want to stay indoors. [ennui: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Boredom is more commonly used than ennui in everyday language. Boredom is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ennui is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between boredom and ennui?
While boredom is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, ennui is considered more formal and literary, making it suitable for more sophisticated or artistic contexts.
