What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
doldrums
Example
The company has been in the doldrums for months, with no new projects in sight. [doldrums: noun]
Example
She fell into the doldrums after losing her job. [doldrums: plural noun]
Example
The ship was stuck in the doldrums for days, unable to make any headway. [doldrums: plural noun]
lull
Example
After the busy holiday season, there was a lull in sales. [lull: noun]
Example
The lull in the storm allowed us to go outside and assess the damage. [lull: noun]
Example
The sound of the waves lulled me to sleep. [lulled: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lull is more commonly used than doldrums in everyday language. Lull is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while doldrums is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between doldrums and lull?
Both doldrums and lull are relatively formal words, but doldrums may be slightly more formal due to its less frequent use.