humdrum
Group 1Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous GRE
Example in Context
After years of humdrum office work, she quit her job to pursue documentary filmmaking in Southeast Asia.
Synonyms
boringdullmonotonous
Etymology
A low, monotonous sound that symbolizes boredom.
- hum (Old English) — low, ground
- drum (Middle English) — monotonous sound
Memory Aid
🥱Sounds like “hum drum”
Imagine someone humming a DRUM beat while yawning, it's so HUMDRUM that even the drum falls asleep!
Visual Association
😴A sleepy audience nodding off as a boring drum solo plays endlessly, the sound echoing in a dull room.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “humdrum” mean on the GRE?
humdrum (adjective) means “Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous”. After years of humdrum office work, she quit her job to pursue documentary filmmaking in Southeast Asia.
How to remember “humdrum” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “humdrum” sounds like “hum drum”. Imagine someone humming a DRUM beat while yawning, it's so HUMDRUM that even the drum falls asleep!
What are synonyms for “humdrum”?
Common synonyms: boring, dull, monotonous.