What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tedious
Example
The lecture was so tedious that I fell asleep. [tedious: adjective]
Example
I find data entry to be a tedious task. [tedious: adjective]
dull
Example
The movie was so dull that I almost walked out. [dull: adjective]
Example
He's a dull person to talk to, always talking about the same thing. [dull: 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 less common and refers to a specific type of boredom.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tedious and dull?
Both tedious and dull can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tedious may be more formal due to its less common usage.