humdrum
[
huhm
-druhm]
/ˈhʌmˌdrʌm/
adjective
1.
lacking variety; boring; dull:
a humdrum existence.
noun
2.
humdrum character or routine; monotony.
3.
monotonous or tedious talk.
4.
Archaic.
a dull, boring person.
Origin
1545-55;
earlier
humtrum,
rhyming compound based on
hum
Related forms
humdrumness,
noun
Synonyms
1.
tedious, routine, mundane, tiresome.
British Dictionary definitions for
hum-drum
humdrum
/
ˈhʌmˌdrʌm
/
adjective
1.
ordinary; dull
noun
2.
a monotonous routine, task, or person
Derived Forms
humdrumness,
noun
Word Origin
C16: rhyming compound, probably based on
hum
Word Origin and History for
hum-drum
adj.
also
humdrum
, "routine, monotonous," 1550s, probably a reduplication of
hum
.