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tiresome
/ˈtaɪərsəm/
causing fatigue or boredom
The professor's lecture on quantum physics was so tiresome that half the class fell asleep.
The lecture was extremely boring and made the students feel tired.
formal
Causing one to feel bored or annoyed due to being long, dull, or repetitive.
The meeting was tiresome, lasting for three hours with no clear agenda.
The meeting was exhaustingly long and lacked focus.
She found his constant bragging tiresome and uninteresting.
His bragging made her feel annoyed and uninterested.
Often implies both physical and mental fatigue, though it leans more toward mental exhaustion from boredom.
Collocations
tiresome taska boring or tedious jobtiresome personsomeone who is annoying or boring
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'tiresome'
While 'tiresome' is useful for formal writing, it can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Prefer 'boring' or 'annoying' in everyday speech.
Gold Rule
Distinguish from 'tiring'
'Tiresome' refers to something that causes boredom or annoyance, while 'tiring' describes something that causes physical exhaustion. Example: 'A tiresome lecture' (boring) vs. 'A tiring workout' (exhausting).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'tiresum', equivalent to 'tire' (to weary) + '-some' (suffix meaning 'causing'). The verb 'tire' comes from Old English 'tīrian' (to fail, languish), related to Old Norse 'þreyta' (to weary).
Usage Notes
Used to describe activities, people, or situations that drain energy or patience. More formal than 'boring' or 'annoying' and often implies a sense of weariness rather than just disinterest.
Word Breakdown
tire
to weary or fatigue
root-some
suffix meaning 'causing'
suffixEnglish Dictionary