What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
boring
Example
The movie was so boring that I fell asleep halfway through. [boring: adjective]
Example
I find history lectures boring because they lack excitement. [boring: present participle]
monotonous
Example
The monotonous sound of the rain put me to sleep. [monotonous: adjective]
Example
Working on an assembly line can be monotonous because you do the same thing over and over. [monotonous: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Boring is more commonly used than monotonous in everyday language. Boring is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while monotonous is less common and often used in specific situations where repetition is involved.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between boring and monotonous?
Both boring and monotonous are generally considered informal words. However, boring can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while monotonous is more commonly used in informal conversations or specific professional settings.