Spell Bee Word: dreary

Basic Details

Word: Dreary

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Something that is dull, bleak, or gloomy; lacking in cheerfulness.

Synonyms: Dismal, bleak, depressing

Antonyms: Cheerful, bright, lively

Idioms and Phrases

1. Dreary as dishwater: Used to describe something very dull and uninteresting. Example: "The lecture was as dreary as dishwater, and I found it hard to stay awake."
2. Dreary day: A day that is cloudy and gloomy, often used to describe a lack of sunshine. Example: "Even on a dreary day, we decided to go for a walk in the park."

Usage Examples

Example 1: The sky was grey and the rain poured down, making the whole town feel dreary.

Example 2: Her dreary mood brightened up when her friends arrived for a surprise visit.

Example 3: The movie was so dreary that many people left the theatre before it ended.

Fun Fact

The word "dreary" comes from the Old English word "drēorig," which means "sad," "sorrowful," or "bloodstained." Over time, it took on the meaning of something dull or gloomy.

Famous Quote

"There are no dreary days, only dreary people." – Anonymous

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does "dreary" mean?

a) Bright and cheerful
b) Dull and gloomy
c) Loud and exciting
d) Warm and sunny

Answer: b) Dull and gloomy

2. Which of these is a synonym of "dreary"?

a) Fun
b) Dismal
c) Happy
d) Bright

Answer: b) Dismal

3. Which word is an antonym of "dreary"?

a) Gloomy
b) Depressing
c) Cheerful
d) Bleak

Answer: c) Cheerful

4. Which sentence uses "dreary" correctly?

a) The dreary sky brightened up as the sun came out.
b) We had a dreary picnic in the sunshine.
c) The dreary story made everyone feel sad.
d) The flowers looked dreary and full of colour.

Answer: c) The dreary story made everyone feel sad.

5. What does the idiom "dreary as dishwater" mean?

a) Very exciting
b) Very dull
c) Very colourful
d) Very beautiful

Answer: b) Very dull