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Definition of dreary

dreary

/ˈdrɪr.i/
drea · ry
Adverb:drearily
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dreary Lexical Profile

dreary Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Depressingly dull, bleak, and lifeless, especially regarding weather, surroundings, or atmosphere.

Example

"We stayed indoors reading all afternoon to escape the cold, dreary November rain."

2

Tiresomely monotonous, repetitive, or uninteresting.

Example

"The interns spent hours completing the dreary task of sorting through decades of archived receipts."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dreary

• Nearby Words

dreamy
drearily
dreariness
dreary
dredge
dredger
dredgings

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'drēorig', meaning 'gory, bloody, or sorrowful', derived from 'drēor' (flowing blood) and related to 'drēosan' (to fall or drip). Over time, the sense softened from violent grief to general gloom, bleakness, and monotony.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dreary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dreary
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