pedestrian

/pəˈdɛst.ɹi.ən/

Group 19Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Lacking inspiration or excitement; dull
GRE

Example in Context

The once-innovative company had settled into a pedestrian routine, producing competent but uninspiring products year after year.

Synonyms

boringordinarydull

Etymology

Walking on foot, often used to describe something dull.

  • ped- (Latin) — foot
  • strian (Latin) — to walk

Memory Aid

👣Sounds like “pedestrian

A 'PEDESTRIAN' walking with a sign reading 'DULL AS DISHWATER' — that’s how boring it is!

Visual Association

😴A gray, lifeless landscape with a person yawning while trudging down a boring road.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “pedestrian” mean on the GRE?

pedestrian (adjective) means “Lacking inspiration or excitement; dull”. The once-innovative company had settled into a pedestrian routine, producing competent but uninspiring products year after year.

How to remember “pedestrian” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “pedestrian” sounds like “pedestrian”. A 'PEDESTRIAN' walking with a sign reading 'DULL AS DISHWATER' — that’s how boring it is!

What are synonyms for “pedestrian”?

Common synonyms: boring, ordinary, dull.