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be dull

[bi dʌl]
verb phrase
ser monótono, ser entediante, ser maçante
1. To lack interest, excitement, or liveliness; to be boring or tedious
The lecture was so dull that many students fell asleep.
A palestra foi tão maçante que muitos alunos adormeceram.
2. To lack brightness, sharpness, or clarity
The knife blade had become dull after years of use.
A lâmina da faca havia ficado cega após anos de uso.
3. To have a lack of vivacity or cheerfulness in manner or appearance
He seemed dull and withdrawn after the bad news.
Ele parecia apático e retraído após as más notícias.
NYC Slang
be a snooze, be whack, be boring as hell
Synonyms
be boringbe tediousbe uninterestingbe tiresomebe monotonous
Antonyms
be interestingbe excitingbe livelybe sharpbe brilliant

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser maçante, ser chato, ser monótono
Most common usage in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ser chato, ser entediante
Colloquial preference for 'chato' in casual speech
São Paulo
ser monótono, ser maçante
More formal register preferred in business contexts
Portugal
ser aborrecido, ser maçador, ser monótono
'Aborrecido' is more commonly used in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

be as dull as dishwater
be dull as ditchwater
be a real drag
be a bore
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