easy
The dull pencil needed sharpening.
What does Dull mean?
Dull means not bright or not very clear.
Dictionary definition
Not bright, sharp, or exciting.
Example sentences
Dull in a sentence
medium
The sky looked dull before the storm.
hard
A dull paragraph can be improved with specific details.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Dull
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does dull mean?
Dull means not bright or not very clear.
Practice 2
Which choice is closest in meaning to dull?
The choice "boring" is closest in meaning because dull means not bright or not very clear.
Practice 3
Which choice is the best antonym or contrast for dull?
The choice "bright" is a strong contrast because dull means not bright or not very clear.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
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Dull
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DULL
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DULL
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WordDull.
Partadjective.
MeaningDull means not bright or not very clear.
ExampleExample: The dull pencil needed sharpening.
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Synonyms
Words like Dull
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice dull synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The lackluster poster needed brighter colors," then compare close word choices. Practice dull synonyms.
Word family
Dull word family
Base word
dull
noun
dulls
Plural form of dull when used as a countable noun.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Dull
Hint for students
Dull can mean not sharp, not bright, or not interesting. Context tells which meaning fits.
Common mix-up
Dull is not always about boredom. A dull knife is not sharp, and a dull color is not bright.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows dull without using the word dull. Model sentence: The old scissors could not cut paper because the blades were no longer sharp. Clue words: scissors, could not cut, blades, no longer sharp Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show the not-sharp meaning?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: 'The dull pencil would not make a clear line.' Why does dull fit better than sharp?
Learning activities
Practice Dull and explore more word games
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Practice DULL
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