tedium

[ tee-dee-uhm ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being wearisome; irksomeness; tediousness.

   Synonyms: dullness, sameness, monotony

tedium

/ ˈtiːdɪəm /

noun

1. the state of being bored or the quality of being boring; monotony

Word History and Origins

Origin of tedium¹

First recorded in 1655–65, tedium is from the Latin word taedium

Word History and Origins

Origin of tedium¹

C17: from Latin taedium, from taedēre to weary

Example Sentences

Just as entertainment businesses were disrupted by the global health crisis, so too were the courts, Sammataro said, compounding the typical tedium.

From Los Angeles Times

A good part of the job of a political journalist was to endure hours and days and weeks and months of tedium on the campaign trail waiting for that ever-hoped-for moment when the candidate would make a gaffe and you were there to witness it and write about it.

From Salon

The latest series has attracted some scathing reviews, with the Telegraph complaining of "yet more tedium" and "terrible outfits", but Collider applauded a "jaw-dropping finale" after a "chaotic second act".

From BBC

Trump may have buried his hate under the tedium of his speech.

From Salon

Anika Noni Rose as Elena, the young wife of Alfred Molina’s Alexander who upsets the household with her seductive beauty, is forced to waltz about the stage in cumbersome getups that look like nothing anyone would wear for another day of rusticating tedium.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banality
• boredom
• ennui