World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesEnnui
/ɒ̃ˈwiː/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
"A heavy sense of ennui descended over the guests during the seemingly endless afternoon reception." - 2
Mental weariness resulting from inaction or tedium.
"He tried to combat his seasonal ennui by taking up oil painting and long-distance running."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Old French phrase 'enoi' meaning annoyance or vexation, which stems from the Vulgar Latin 'inodio' (to make hateful or tiresome), originating from 'in odio' meaning in hatred. Over centuries, the term evolved in French and later entered English in the late 18th century to specifically denote a state of listless dissatisfaction resulting from lack of occupation or excitement.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Ennui"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Ennui" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
ennui
Transliteration: ahn-wee
"Il souffrait d'un profond ennui pendant les longues soirées d'hiver."
Lebensüberdruss
Transliteration: LE-bens-yüber-druss
"Sie fühlte sich von einer tiefen Langeweile und Lebensüberdruss ergriffen."
noia
Transliteration: NO-ya
"Un senso di noia opprimente regnava nella stanza vuota."
tedio
Transliteration: TE-dyo
"El tedio de la rutina diaria empezó a afectarle el ánimo."
tédio
Transliteration: TE-dyu
"O tédio tomou conta da sala de espera vazia."
ऊब
Transliteration: oob
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"दोपहर की इस सुस्ती और ऊब ने उसे थका दिया।"
倦怠
Transliteration: juàndài
Script: 中文汉字
"长时间的重复工作让他感到极大的倦怠。"
권태
Transliteration: gwontae
Script: 한국어 한글
"그는 일상적인 삶에서 깊은 권태를 느꼈다."
倦怠感
Transliteration: kentaikan
Script: 日本語
"長雨が続くと、部屋の中に奇妙な倦怠感が漂う。"
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