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

The danger of “Heretic” is nothing extraterrestrial, but rather the most common and mundane of earthly predators: a man.

From Los Angeles Times

These mundane tasks and long hours of repetitive training culminate in competitive outbursts where careers are made and broken.

From Los Angeles Times

The film’s inventive visual style made the surreal seem mundane and everyday.

From Los Angeles Times

Tonally, the film feels like vintage Mike Leigh - seemingly focused on the everyday and the mundane, yet packed with meaning.

From BBC

Plus, over-the-top emergencies like dam breaks, earthquakes, tsunamis and a pirate attack on a cruise ship, at least when told in the procedural’s vernacular, are an escape from the more mundane horrors of daily life.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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