Meaning of the Word
Bore can refer to something that causes a feeling of dullness or disinterest. It can be used to describe an action (to make someone feel bored) or a person (someone who is perceived as uninteresting or tiresome). Additionally, in a mechanical context, it can refer to a hole or a tube (such as in engineering or anatomy) or to the diameter of a hole.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- Bore (verb): To make someone feel weary or uninterested due to something dull or tedious.
- Bore (noun): A person who is perceived as dull, uninteresting, or tiresome.
- Bore (noun): A deep hole or tube, often created in a material, such as a pipe or in mechanical components.
- Bore (noun, in physics): A large wave in a river or tidal inlet that moves against the current, often forming a natural phenomenon.
- Bore (noun): In anatomy, a term used for certain natural channels, such as in bones or the human ear canal.
History and Origin
The word “bore” comes from the Old French word “borer”, which means “to drill” or “to pierce,” which was derived from the Latin “būrus” meaning “hole.” The use of “bore” to refer to making someone feel uninterested or weary first appeared in the 18th century, derived from the idea that something dull or tiresome “drills” into the mind, causing discomfort or disengagement. Over time, “bore” also became commonly used to describe a person or activity that causes such feelings.
Detailed Explanation
The word bore can be used in several contexts:
- As a verb, it means to make someone feel uninterested or tired because of something repetitive, dull, or lacking excitement. For example, “The lecture bored the students.”
- As a noun, it can refer to a person who is considered tiresome or uninteresting. For example, “He’s such a bore at parties; he talks about the same thing every time.”
- In a mechanical or engineering sense, bore refers to the size of a hole, typically one that is drilled, in pipes, guns, or machinery parts. In this case, the term describes the inner diameter of the hole.
- In a natural sense, bore also refers to a type of tidal wave that travels against the direction of a river or tidal inlet, often causing a noticeable disturbance in the water flow.
- In anatomy, the term “bore” may refer to natural passageways or cavities within the body, like the ear canal.
Example Sentences
- The movie was so long and dull that it completely bored me.
- She couldn’t help but yawn during his bore of a speech.
- John can be a real bore when he starts talking about his work all the time.
- The constant noise in the background seemed to bore the audience to the point of distraction.
- The bore of the pipe was too small to allow for proper flow.
- The river had a strong bore that could be seen as a large wave moving upstream.
- He didn’t mean to bore us, but his detailed explanation of the project seemed never-ending.
- I was bored out of my mind during that meeting, it felt like time was standing still.
- His constant bragging made him a real bore at family gatherings.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Dull: Something lacking excitement or interest, similar to a bore.
- Tedious: Something that is too long or repetitive, often leading to boredom.
- Monotonous: Lacking variety and causing boredom, much like a bore.
- Uninspiring: Something or someone that fails to spark interest, similar to being a bore.
- Wearisome: Causing fatigue or boredom due to being repetitive or tiresome, like a bore.
Related Words with Short Explanation
- Boredom: The feeling of being uninterested or disengaged, often caused by something that bores you.
- Tedium: The state of being tedious, or the quality of causing boredom or monotony.
- Dullness: The quality of being uninteresting or boring.
- Boring: Describing something or someone that causes boredom.
- Repetition: The act of repeating something, often leading to a feeling of boredom, like a bore.
More Matches with Short Explanation
- Drag: A term used to describe something that is so slow or dull that it feels burdensome, like a bore.
- Jaded: A feeling of weariness or lack of interest, which can result from being bored by repetitive experiences.
- Uninteresting: Describes something that lacks appeal, causing boredom or disinterest, like a bore.
- Banal: Lacking originality or freshness, often resulting in a boring or tiresome experience, much like a bore.
- Fatiguing: Something that is mentally or physically tiring, often due to monotony or lack of interest, akin to being a bore.
Antonyms
- Engaging: Something that draws attention and keeps someone interested, the opposite of a bore.
- Exciting: Something that generates interest or enthusiasm, opposite to causing boredom.
- Interesting: Something that holds attention and is appealing, unlike a bore.
- Stimulating: Causing interest or enthusiasm, the opposite of something boring.
- Entertaining: Providing enjoyment and engagement, directly contrasting with the dullness of a bore.
