Meaning & use
the doldrums
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Meanings
nounplural
A state of low spirits, lack of energy, or inactivity.
Grammar: Used with 'the' and a plural verb: 'He's in the doldrums.' Cannot be used with 'a'.
Patterns
- in the doldrums
- be in the doldrums
After losing his job, he was in the doldrums for weeks.
The team has been in the doldrums since their star player left.
The economy is in the doldrums, with very little growth.
nounpluraltechnical
A belt of calm winds near the equator where sailing ships often get stuck.
Grammar: Used with 'the' when referring to the geographic region.
Patterns
- the doldrums
- sail into the doldrums
The ship was stuck in the doldrums for days without any wind.
Sailors dreaded the doldrums because they could delay a voyage for weeks.
The doldrums lie roughly between the trade winds of the two hemispheres.
Common combinations
- in the doldrums
- The housing market is in the doldrums right now.
- the economic doldrums
- The country struggled through years of economic doldrums.
- sail into the doldrums
- The explorers sailed into the doldrums and lost precious time.
- the summer doldrums
- News is slow during the summer doldrums.
Synonyms and how they differ
- depression
- A stronger, more clinical word for low mood; 'doldrums' is milder and often temporary.
- slump
- Often used for economic or performance decline; 'doldrums' suggests a lack of activity or energy more generally.
- blues
- Informal and more emotional; 'doldrums' can also refer to a general state of inactivity.
Opposites
Commonly confused: the doldrums or doldrum?
the doldrums vs doldrum
'Doldrum' is not a common singular form; the word is almost always used as 'the doldrums' with a plural verb.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'the doldrums' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'The doldrums' is a fixed plural phrase that takes 'the'. Option A uses 'a' incorrectly; option C misses 'the'; option D uses an incorrect singular form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the doldrums”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.