| 例句 |
dull adj.
⇨ boring (a dull life/place/game) ⇨ cloudy (the dull afternoon light) ⇨ pale 2 (a dull red colour) ⇨ quiet 2 (a dull thud) boring adjective boring ♦︎ dull ♦︎ tedious ♦︎ repetitive ♦︎ monotonous ♦︎ uninteresting ♦︎ dryThese words all describe a subject, activity, person or place that is not interesting or exciting. 这些词均形容话题、活动、人或地方无趣的、乏味的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to be boring / dull / tedious / uninteresting for sb◆boring / dull / tedious / dry subjects / books◆boring / dull / tedious / repetitive / monotonous jobs / work◆boring / dull / tedious games / lectures / details◆a boring / dull / tedious evening◆a boring / a dull / an uninteresting place◆a boring / dull man / woman / person◆rather boring / dull / tedious / repetitive / monotonous / uninteresting / dry◆very boring / dull / tedious / repetitive / uninteresting / dry◆pretty boring / dull / tedious / uninteresting■ boring (disapproving) not interesting; making you feel tired and impatient 无趣的；令人厌倦（或厌烦）的◆He's such a boring man!他那人无趣得很！◆Try not to make the diet boring.尽量别让饮食单调。◆ (BrE, informal, spoken) That film was dead boring.那部电影无聊透顶。OPP interesting ⇨ interesting ▸ boredom noun [uncountable] ◆Television helps to relieve the boredom of the long winter evenings.电视有助于打发漫长无聊的冬夜。■ dull (disapproving) not interesting or exciting 枯燥无味的；沉闷的；无聊的◆Life in a small town could be deadly dull.小镇生活可能会非常沉闷乏味。◆The work gets a bit dull at times.这工作有时会有点儿乏味。◆There's never a dull moment when John's around.只要约翰在就不会有沉闷的时候。OPP interesting ⇨ interesting ■ tedious / /ˈtiːdiəs/ / (disapproving) lasting or taking too long and not interesting, so that you feel bored and impatient 冗长的；啰嗦的；单调乏味的；令人厌烦的◆The journey soon became tedious.旅行不久就变得乏味起来。◆It was tedious, repetitive work.那是单调、重复的工作。◆We had to listen to all the tedious details of his operation.我们不得不听他唠叨那次行动的繁琐细节。▸ tedium / /ˈtiːdiəm/ / noun [uncountable] ◆ (written) She longed for something to relieve the tedium of everyday life.她渴望有什么事情能排解她日常生活中的烦闷。■ repetitive / /rɪˈpetətɪv/ / (often disapproving) saying or doing the same thing many times, so that it becomes boring 重复乏味的◆Machines can now perform many repetitive tasks in the home.机器现在可以做许多重复乏味的家务活。■ monotonous /məˈnɒtənəs; NAmE məˈnɑːtənəs/ (disapproving) never changing and therefore boring 单调乏味的◆a monotonous voice / diet / routine单调乏味的嗓音／饮食／日常事务◆New secretaries came and went with monotonous regularity.秘书走马灯似地换个不停，令人厌烦。▸ monotonously adverb ◆As the clock ticked monotonously on the wall Mr Simons slowly and methodically cut up and ate his food.墙上的时钟单调地滴答作响，西蒙斯先生慢条斯理地把食物切成小块吃着。▸ monotony /məˈnɒtəni; NAmE məˈnɑːtəni/ noun [uncountable] ◆She watches television to relieve the monotony of everyday life.她靠看电视来排解日常生活的烦闷。■ uninteresting (disapproving) not attracting your interest or attention 不吸引人的；无趣的；无聊的◆The food was dull and uninteresting.食物单调得很，一点也不吸引人。OPP interesting ⇨ interesting see also uninterested ⇨ indifferent ■ dry (disapproving) boring because it lacks human interest 干巴巴的；枯燥无味的◆Government reports tend to make dry reading.政府报告读起来往往枯燥无味。 cloudy adjective cloudy ♦︎ misty ♦︎ grey ♦︎ foggy ♦︎ hazy ♦︎ overcast ♦︎ dull ♦︎ murkyThese words all describe the weather when there are lots of clouds in the sky. 这些词均表示天气多云、阴天。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆cloudy / grey / foggy / dull weather◆misty / foggy / overcast conditions◆a cloudy / misty / grey / overcast / dull day◆a cloudy / misty / foggy / murky night◆a dull / grey / misty morning◆a dull / grey afternoon◆(a) cloudy / grey / dull / overcast sky / skies◆misty / grey / hazy / dull / murky light■ cloudy (of the sky or weather) with a lot of clouds （天空）多云的；阴天的◆It was a dark, cloudy night.那是一个漆黑多云的夜晚。OPP clear , sunny ⇨ sunny see also cloud ⇨ darken ■ misty with a lot of mist 多雾的；薄雾笼罩的◆It was a beautiful misty morning.那是一个美丽的薄雾弥漫的早晨。OPP clear ⇨ sunny ■ grey (especially BrE) (NAmE usually gray) (usually disapproving) (of the sky or weather) without bright sunshine; full of clouds （天空或天气）昏暗的，阴沉的◆I hate these grey days.我讨厌这阴沉沉的天气。 OPP bright ⇨ bright ■ foggy not clear because of fog 有雾的；雾茫茫的◆He was driving much too fast for the foggy conditions.他在雾天车开得过快。 OPP clear ⇨ sunny ■ hazy / /ˈheɪzi/ / not clear because of haze 朦胧的；雾蒙蒙的◆There will be a dry start to the day with some hazy sunshine in the east.东边日光朦胧，早上会比较干燥。◆The mountains were hazy in the distance.远处山峦在薄雾中若隐若现。NOTE 辨析 Misty, foggy or hazy? Misty and foggy weather both happen especially when it is cold, but if it is hazy, it is usually hot. If the weather is foggy, it is more difficult to see than if it is misty. 冷天时多雾尤用misty和foggy，热天时多雾常用hazy。与misty相比，foggy表示的能见度更差。■ overcast /ˌəʊvəˈkɑːst; NAmE ˌoʊvərˈkæst/ (of the sky or weather) without bright sunshine; full of clouds （天空或天气）多云的，昏暗的，阴沉的◆The sky was overcast and we needed to use artificial light.天色昏暗，我们需要用人工照明。■ dull (sometimes disapproving, especially written) (of the sky or weather) without bright sunshine; full of clouds （天空或天气）多云的，昏暗的，阴沉的◆The town seemed deserted in the dull afternoon light.在下午暗淡的光线下这座城镇看上去有些荒凉。 OPP bright ⇨ bright NOTE 辨析 Cloudy, grey, overcast or dull? Grey, overcast and dull all suggest that the whole sky is covered with clouds, so that you cannot see the blue sky behind. If it is cloudy, there may be a lot of clouds while the rest of the sky is blue. Grey and dull often suggest that the speaker is unhappy about the weather. Overcast is a more neutral word for describing the sky when none of it is blue. Dull is less frequent than the other words, used especially in literary or descriptive writing. * grey、overcast和 dull均指天空阴云密布，看不到蓝天。cloudy指天上有很多云，不过仍可看到蓝天。grey和dull常意味着说话者对天气感到不快。overcast是一个较中性的词，描述天空看不到蓝天的状况。dull不如其他词常用，尤用于文学或描写文体。■ murky /ˈmɜːki; NAmE ˈmɜːrki/ (often disapproving) (of air, the sky or light) dark and unpleasant, especially because of smoke or fog; difficult to see through （尤指因烟或雾使空气、天空或光线）昏暗的，阴暗的；难以看清的◆The light was murky and it was difficult to see ahead.光线昏暗，很难看清前面。 pale2 adjective a pale face 苍白的脸pale colours 淡淡的颜色pale ♦︎ light ♦︎ soft ♦︎ dull ♦︎ pastel ♦︎ subtle ♦︎ dusky ♦︎ neutral ♦︎ coolThese words all describe light or a colour which is not bright or strong. 这些词均表示昏暗的、不鲜艳的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a pale / light / soft / dull / pastel / subtle / neutral / cool colour◆a pale / light / soft / dull / pastel / subtle / neutral / cool shade◆pale / light / soft / pastel / subtle / neutral tones◆pale / light / soft / dull / pastel / subtle / dusky pink◆pale / light / soft / dull / pastel / subtle / cool green◆pale / light / soft / dull / dusky red◆pale / light / soft / dull / pastel / cool blue◆pale / light / soft / dull / cool grey◆pale / light / soft / dull brown / yellow◆pale / light / dull / dusky orange◆a pale / soft / dull / dusky light◆a pale / soft / dull glow◆a pale / dull sky◆pale / light / soft / cool blue eyes◆sth is pale / light / neutral in colour■ pale (of a colour or light) containing a lot of white 浅色的；暗淡的◆The bedroom walls are pale green.卧室的墙壁是淡绿色。◆The rooftops and chimneys stood out against the pale sky.在昏暗的天色映衬下，屋顶和烟囱清晰可见。◆The flowers were pale and wilted.花都枯萎失色了。OPP dark , deep ⇨ dark 2 ■ light pale in colour 浅色的；淡色的◆He's got light blue eyes.他有一双浅蓝色的眼睛。◆Lighter shades suit you best.较浅的颜色最适合你。◆People with pale complexions should avoid wearing light colours.肤色白皙的人应当避免穿浅色衣服。 OPP dark ⇨ dark 2 NOTE 辨析 Pale or light?When describing colours you can use either word. 形容颜色时，这两个词可以通用◆pale / light blue / green / yellow / orange / red / pink / purple / grey / brown浅蓝色；浅绿色；浅黄色；浅橙色；浅红色；浅粉红色；浅紫色；浅灰色；浅棕色◆pale / light colours / shades / tones淡淡的颜色／色彩／色调 Pale is also used to describe a kind of light that contains a lot of white, especially when it is not very bright. * pale还可形容光线昏暗◆a pale light / glow / sky昏暗的光线／光／天色◆a light light/glow/sky ■ soft [usually before noun] not too bright, in a way that is pleasant and relaxing to the eyes 柔和的；悦目的◆a colour scheme of soft pink and cream柔和的粉红色和奶油色的组合◆the soft glow of candlelight柔和的烛光 OPP harsh ⇨ strong 3 ■ dull not bright or shiny 不明亮的；不鲜艳的；无光泽的◆The blood stained the grass a dull red colour.鲜血把草染成了暗红色。◆The fire died down to a dull glow.火焰逐渐变弱，只剩些许暗淡的光。OPP bright ⇨ bright ■ pastel / /ˈpæstl; NAmE pæˈstel/ [only before noun] having a pale delicate colour 颜色淡雅的◆The white walls were repainted in pastel shades.白色的墙壁被重新漆成淡雅的色调。▸ pastel noun [countable] ◆The whole house was painted in soft pastels.整座房屋都漆成了柔和淡雅的色彩。■ subtle /ˈsʌtl/ / [usually before noun] (approving) (of colours) not too bright or noticeable, in a way that is attractive （颜色）不刺眼的，淡雅的◆Her paintings are characterized by sweeping brush strokes and subtle colours.她的画特点是奔放的笔锋和淡雅的色彩。■ dusky [usually before noun] (literary) dark or soft in colour （颜色）暗的，柔和的◆The setting sun tinged the sky with a dusky orange.落日把天空染成了柔和的橙色。■ neutral /ˈnjuːtrəl; NAmE ˈnuːtrəl/ (of colours) not very bright or strong, such as grey or light brown （颜色）素淡的，不鲜艳的（如灰色或浅棕色）◆a neutral colour scheme浅色系组合◆Neutral tones will give the room a feeling of space.浅色调能给房间营造空间感。■ cool (usually approving) (of colours) making you feel pleasantly cool （颜色）使人感到凉爽的；冷色的◆a room painted in cool greens and blues用冷色调的绿色和蓝色油漆过的房间 OPP warm ⇨ dark 2 quiet2 adjective a quiet place/life 僻静的地方；平静的生活a quiet voice 轻柔的声音quiet and shy 文静而腼腆quiet ♦︎ soft ♦︎ faint ♦︎ inaudible ♦︎ silent ♦︎ hushed ♦︎ dull ♦︎ muffledThese words all describe sounds or voices that are not easy to hear because they make little or no noise. 这些词均表示声音放轻的、悄声的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a quiet / a soft / a faint / an inaudible / a hushed / a muffled voice◆quiet / soft / hushed tones◆a quiet / hushed / muffled conversation◆quiet / soft / silent / muffled laughter◆a quiet / a soft / a faint / an inaudible / a hushed whisper◆a soft / faint / silent / muffled cry◆a quiet / soft / faint / dull / muffled sound◆a quiet / soft / faint / dull click◆a soft / faint / dull / muffled noise / thud / thump■ quiet making very little noise 轻声的；轻柔的；安静的◆We could hear quiet footsteps in the corridor.我们听见走廊里轻轻的脚步声。◆How would you like a quieter, more efficient engine?您想要一台声音更小、功效更高的发动机吗？◆Could you keep the kids quiet while I'm on the phone?我在打电话，你让孩子们安静点好吗？◆'Be quiet,' said the teacher.“安静点。”老师说道。◆He went very quiet (= did not say much) so I knew he was upset.他的话变少了，所以我知道他很烦恼。OPP loud ⇨ loud see also quiet , quieten ⇨ silence verb ▸ quietly adverb ◆I can't hear you－you're speaking too quietly.我听不见－你说话的声音太轻了。■ soft (of a voice or sound) not loud, and usually pleasant and gentle （嗓音或声音）轻的，轻柔的，柔和悦耳的◆He chose some soft background music and lit the candles.他选了轻柔的背景音乐，点燃了蜡烛。OPP loud ⇨ loud , sharp ⇨ high 3 ▸ softly adverb ◆She closed the door softly behind her.她随手轻轻关上了门。■ faint (of sounds) that you cannot hear clearly, especially because they come from things or people in the distance （声音）微弱的，不清楚的（尤指因为距离远）◆We could hear their voices growing fainter as they walked down the road.他们沿路走远时，我们听见他们的说话声逐渐模糊。▸ faintly adverb ◆'Does it matter?' she said faintly.“要紧吗？”她微声问道。■ inaudible / /ɪnˈɔːdəbl/ / (of sounds) that you cannot hear （声音）听不见的◆She spoke in an almost inaudible whisper.她低声说话的声音几不可闻。◆The whistle was inaudible to the human ear.这种哨声人耳听不到。 OPP audible ⓘ A sound that is audible can be heard, although it may not be very loud. * audible指听得见的，但声音未必很大◆Her voice was barely audible above the noise.一片嘈杂，她的声音只能勉强听得见。◆The alarm must be clearly audible in all bedrooms (= in fire safety regulations).在所有卧室里都必须能清楚地听到警报声。 ■ silent [only before noun] not expressed with words or sound 不用言语表达的；无声的◆She closed her eyes to say a silent prayer.她闭上眼睛默祷。◆They nodded in silent agreement.他们点头默许。 see also silence ⇨ silence verb ▸ silently adverb ◆She prayed silently.她默默地祷告。■ hushed [usually before noun](of voices) speaking very quietly （嗓音）低的，轻声的◆They spoke in hushed tones.他们窃窃私语。◆They were deep in hushed conversation.他们全神贯注地低声交谈。ⓘ A hushed conversation is often one which the speakers do not want other people to hear. * hushed常意味着谈话人不希望别人听到。■ dull [only before noun] (written) (of sounds) not clear or loud （声音）不清晰的，隐约的，低沉的◆The gates shut behind him with a dull thud.他出去后，门砰的一声闷响关上了。▸ dully adverb ◆The gates clanged dully behind him.门在他身后发出咣的一声闷响。■ muffled / /ˈmʌfld/ / (of sounds) not heard clearly because sth is in the way that stops the sound from travelling easily （声音）沉闷的，压抑的，模糊不清的◆Muffled voices could be heard coming from the next room.听得见从隔壁房间传来模糊不清的说话声。 see also muffle ⇨ silence verb |