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mundane

adjective

/ˌmʌnˈdeɪn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of mundane

Ordinary, routine, and lacking in excitement or exceptional qualities.
"He found the job to be mundane and unfulfilling."

Detailed meaning of mundane

When we characterize something as mundane, we emphasize its everyday and commonplace nature, suggesting that it is a part of the regular, unremarkable aspects of life. Mundane tasks, for example, often involve routine chores or responsibilities that don't offer much novelty or stimulation. Similarly, a mundane conversation or experience may lack the extraordinary or special elements that make it stand out. This term conveys a sense of normalcy and a lack of the exceptional, making it synonymous with the everyday or the commonplace. "Mundane" is often used to describe routine activities, objects, or experiences that don't hold particular interest or significance beyond their typical and uneventful nature.

Example sentences containing mundane

1. The conversation was mundane and uneventful.
2. He found the lecture to be mundane and uninteresting.
3. The daily commute to work had become mundane routine.
4. She tried to spice up her mundane cooking by trying new recipes.
5. The movie was criticized for its mundane plot and lack of suspense.
6. The meeting was filled with mundane discussion about office supplies.

History and etymology of mundane

The adjective 'mundane' has its etymological roots in the Latin word 'mundanus,' which is derived from 'mundus,' meaning 'world' or 'universe.' Originally, 'mundane' referred to things related to the physical world or the material aspects of life. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe things that are ordinary, routine, and lacking in excitement or exceptional qualities, much like the everyday affairs of the world. Therefore, the etymology of 'mundane' underscores its use as an adjective to convey the idea of something being grounded in the everyday, common, and unremarkable aspects of life, rather than possessing extraordinary or otherworldly characteristics.

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Further usage examples of mundane

1. Her life had become mundane and she wanted to make a change.
2. The class was filled with mundane lectures and very little hands-on learning.
3. The book was criticized for its mundane characters and lack of action.
4. The tasks that were assigned to him were mundane and uninteresting.
5. The job was filled with mundane tasks such as filing paperwork and answering phone calls.
6. His mundane job involved endless hours of paperwork and data entry.
7. The mundane routine of waking up, commuting, and working left her feeling trapped.
8. The conversation at the dinner party focused on mundane topics like the weather.
9. The office decor was uninspiring, with bland colors and mundane furniture.
10. Their weekends were filled with mundane chores like grocery shopping and cleaning.
11. The daily commute to work felt mundane and never-ending, a monotonous routine.
12. The city's skyline was dominated by mundane skyscrapers, lacking architectural diversity.
13. The movie's plot was overly mundane and followed a predictable formula.
14. The restaurant's menu offered mundane food choices, lacking creativity.
15. The novelist struggled to make mundane stories captivating for readers.
16. The music playlist failed to break the mundane atmosphere at the party.
17. Her wardrobe consisted mainly of mundane, everyday attire like jeans and T-shirts.
18. The daily grind had reduced life to mundane routines, devoid of excitement.
19. The vacation spot provided a much-needed escape from the mundane monotony of life.
20. The meeting's agenda was filled with mundane administrative matters, no sparks of innovation.
21. The art exhibit featured mundane, everyday objects like chairs and kitchen utensils.
22. The school's rules seemed unnecessarily mundane, stifling creativity.
23. The party desperately needed some entertainment to lift the mundane mood.
24. The speech's content was disappointingly mundane, lacking any compelling ideas.
25. His mundane existence felt devoid of excitement or adventure, a monotonous cycle.