ˈbɔːɹɪŋ ˈbɔːɹɪŋ dʌl ˈɚksəm sləʊ sloʊ ˈtiː.dɪəs ˈti.di.əs ˈtaɪɹsəm ˈtaɪəsəm the act of drilling a hole in the earth in the hope of producing petroleum the act of drilling so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness a boring evening with uninteresting people the deadening effect of some routine tasks a dull play his competent but dull performance a ho-hum speaker who couldn't capture their attention what an irksome task the writing of long letters is tedious days on the train the tiresome chirping of a cricket other people's dreams are dreadfully wearisome