What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dull
Example
The movie was so dull that I fell asleep halfway through. [dull: adjective]
Example
He's a dull speaker, I can barely stay awake during his presentations. [dull: adjective]
Example
I need to sharpen this dull knife before I can cut anything. [dull: adjective]
tedious
Example
The teacher's lectures were so tedious that the students stopped paying attention. [tedious: adjective]
Example
Filling out paperwork is such a tedious task, it takes forever. [tedious: adjective]
Example
The process of getting a visa can be quite tedious, with all the forms and waiting involved. [tedious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dull is more commonly used than tedious in everyday language. Dull is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tedious is more formal and less frequently used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dull and tedious?
Tedious is more formal and less frequently used than dull. It is often used in academic or professional settings to describe a task or process that is long and repetitive.