mundane

mundane — adjective

1. so ordinary and unexciting that it feels dull or boring — for example, routine t

1.形容詞B2
釋義

so ordinary and unexciting that it feels dull or boring — for example, routine tasks like washing dishes or filling in forms, or a daily schedule that never changes.

例句

Caio was tired of his mundane job filing paperwork at the insurance office.

collocation: mundane job / mundane task

The meeting covered mundane topics like parking spaces and office supplies.

同義詞
  • ordinary

    more neutral; something ordinary is normal or typical without necessarily being disappointing

  • dull

    more direct and negative; suggests a complete lack of stimulation rather than just routine

  • banal

    more formal; describes something trite or clichéd from being used too much

  • humdrum

    informal; emphasises repetitive monotony, especially in daily routines

反義詞
  • exciting

    full of interest and stimulation — opposite of boring

  • extraordinary

    very unusual or remarkable — opposite of ordinary

文法句型

mundane + noun (mundane task, mundane routine)

linking verb + mundane (seems mundane, becomes mundane)

so mundane that... (clause of result)

用法筆記

Carries a negative connotation — it suggests disappointment or dissatisfaction with the ordinariness. Be cautious when using it to describe someone else's life or work, as it can sound dismissive or insulting.

常見錯誤

❌I had a very mundane weekend and I loved it.
✅I had a very quiet weekend and I loved it.
💡'Mundane' has a negative connotation of boringness, so it sounds strange paired with a positive opinion.
❌The food was mundane — not bad, just average.
✅The food was adequate
💡nothing special, but fine.' — 'Mundane' implies dullness and is too strong for something merely average.

2. connected with ordinary daily life on Earth, especially practical concerns about

2.形容詞C1
釋義

connected with ordinary daily life on Earth, especially practical concerns about money, work, possessions, and physical needs, rather than with religious or spiritual ideas.

例句

The monk spent little time on mundane concerns like money or fashion.

collocation: mundane concerns

During the meditation retreat, Tanvi focused on spiritual growth rather than mundane thoughts about work or money.

collocation: mundane thoughts; contrast with spiritual growth

同義詞
  • worldly

    very close in meaning but wider in use — can also mean experienced in life, not just non-spiritual

  • earthly

    emphasises the contrast with heavenly or divine; often used in religious texts

  • secular

    specifically about separation from religion, usually in a political or institutional context

反義詞
  • spiritual

    relating to the soul or religion rather than material things

  • heavenly

    relating to God or heaven — opposite of earthly

  • sacred

    connected with God or religion, deserving respect

文法句型

mundane + noun (mundane concerns, mundane existence)

usually contrasted with spiritual, sacred, or heavenly

用法筆記

Typically appears in philosophical, religious, or academic writing. Often sets up a contrast with spiritual, sacred, heavenly, or transcendent in the same sentence. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not carry a negative connotation — it is a neutral description of the physical world.

常見錯誤

❌She lives a very mundane life as a nun.
✅She lives a very simple, spiritual life as a nun.
💡A nun's life is religious, not worldly; 'mundane' (worldly) would contradict the intended meaning.