Meaning & use

dreary

adjective·Everyday

Dull, bleak, and depressing, lacking excitement, color, or brightness.

See it in a sentence

Rain fell steadily over the dreary gray streets all afternoon.

He described his old office job as dreary and repetitive.

A note on using this word

Dreary often describes weather, places, or routines that feel monotonous and joyless rather than actively frightening.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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