ennui

[ ahn-wee, ahn-wee; French ahn-nwee ]

noun

1. a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom:

   The endless lecture produced an unbearable ennui.

   Synonyms: listlessness, languor, lassitude, tedium

ennui

/ ˈɒnwiː; ɑ̃nɥi /

noun

1. a feeling of listlessness and general dissatisfaction resulting from lack of activity or excitement

Word History and Origins

Origin of ennui¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from French: “boredom”; Old French a(n)nui, enui “displeasure”; annoy

Word History and Origins

Origin of ennui¹

C18: from French: apathy, from Old French enui annoyance, vexation; see annoy

Example Sentences

Thematically, these albums especially feel timeless, covering the ups and downs of adulthood: ennui and uncertainty, deep longing and the exhilaration of being young.

From Salon

It’s a weird move – especially in hip-hop – for an artist to explore his own artistic ennui.

From Salon

This is not about identity politics but ennui: Even minuscule choices, like what socks to wear, are part of a larger cultural self-definition and viral conversation.

From Slate

“Inside Out 2” brought anxiety, embarrassment, envy and ennui to the screen.

From Los Angeles Times

You can hear the buzzing bug zapper, feel the sunburn on your skin, scratch your knees on the freshly cut grass and sink into the hazy evening ennui.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apathy
• languor
• melancholy
• sadness
• tedium
• weariness