boredom
/ˈbɔː.dəm/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Boredom is the feeling of being tired, restless, or uninterested because nothing is happening. It is the state of not having enough to do, or not finding what is happening engaging.
- I felt boredom during the long train ride.
- Boredom made the class feel much longer.
- She read a book to fight boredom.
Adinary Nuance
Boredom is the feeling itself, not the cause. It is different from boredom with something, which shows what is causing the feeling. Compared with tedium, boredom is more everyday and less formal. Compared with ennui, boredom is simpler and more direct.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự chán nản
- Spanish
- aburrimiento
- Chinese
- 无聊
- Japanese
- 退屈
- Korean
- 지루함
Etymology
Boredom comes from the verb bore, which became common in English in the 18th century. The noun boredom was formed later, in the 19th century.
Common phrases
fight boredomout of boredomboredom sets inrelieve boredom
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is boredom a formal or common word?
- It is a common everyday word. It works well in speech and writing.
- What is the difference between boredom and boring?
- Boredom is a noun for the feeling. Boring is an adjective for something that causes that feeling.
- Can I say 'I have boredom'?
- Usually no. Say 'I am bored' or 'I feel boredom' in careful writing.
- Is boredom used in academic writing?
- Yes, especially in psychology, education, and sociology.