mundane

[ muhn-deyn, muhn-deyn ]

adjective

1. common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative.
2. of or relating to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; worldly; earthly:

   mundane affairs.

   Synonyms: temporal, secular

3. of or relating to the world, universe, or earth.

mundane

/ ˈmʌndeɪn; mʌnˈdeɪn /

adjective

1. everyday, ordinary, or banal
2. relating to the world or worldly matters

Derived Forms

• munˈdanity, noun
• ˈmundanely, adverb

Other Words From

• mun·danely adverb
• mun·daneness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mundane¹

First recorded in 1425–75; from Latin mundānus, equivalent to mund(us) “world” + -ānus -ane; replacing late Middle English mondeyne, from Middle French mondain, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of mundane¹

C15: from French mondain, via Late Latin, from Latin mundus world

Synonym Study

See earthly.

Example Sentences

These range from automating the most mundane and repetitive daily activities to enriching and educating yourself to bring new areas of interest to the forefront of your mind.

From Popular-Science

Masks and social distancing, even if they sound mundane after a year of relentless repetition, remain the best weapons to control the spread of the virus.

From Washington Post

Looking back at 2020, it seems like our world turned upside down, from a global pandemic and climate catastrophes down to the mundane details of what it means to go to work each day.

From Fortune

I think they all underline the fact that no matter how dramatic or mundane your year was, it was that much more fascinating or difficult or compelling because of the times in which it took place.

From Vox

Once they were together, the gate became a place they’d visit each time they passed through O’Hare, Chasten writes, a pilgrimage to a spot that might be mundane to everyone else, but to them was a landmark in their relationship.

From Washington Post

Even the most mundane experiences seem extraordinary when lovingly rendered by Kalman.

From The Daily Beast

They even posted mundane administrative materials, including expense accounts and personnel memos.

From The Daily Beast

The acts ranged from the mundane to the unexpected: Assisted a tourist with directions because he looked lost.

From The Daily Beast

Quality can be found in the most mundane works of man—even within the rusting gears of a motorcycle engine.

From The Daily Beast

“When it comes to something mundane, like kosher laws, their pronouncements may be absurd, but so be it,” says Hirsch.

From The Daily Beast

Ahimsa truly understood is in my humble opinion a panacea for all evils mundane and extra-mundane.

From Project Gutenberg

About six thousand years (according to mundane measure), or thereabouts.

From Project Gutenberg

The gentle sadness of the autumn day had moved her to discourse on the mutability of mundane things.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, when the foolish girl disappeared behind the door, I turned away from the gate full of anger at all mundane things.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou createst motion, and yet maintainest the equilibrium of all things mundane and celestial.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• banal
• day-to-day
• everyday
• humdrum
• normal
• prosaic
• workaday