French word

ennui

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃nɥi/

Meaning

  • masculine nounboredom

Example

Aujourd'hui, j'ai de l'ennui.

Today, I am bored.

Illustration for ennui (boredom)

More examples

Pour combattre l'ennui, elle a appelé une amie.

To fight boredom, she called a friend.

Core concept

A flat stretch of time in which nothing holds the mind or gives it pleasure.

Common phrases

  • combattre l'ennui

    fight boredom

  • un remède contre l'ennui

    a remedy for boredom

Similar words

désintérêt: The absence of interest in a particular matter or activity.
indifférence: A detached lack of feeling or concern toward people or matters.
monotonie: The tedious sameness of repeated events with little change or stimulation.

Definition in French

Sentiment d'absence d'intérêt ou de plaisir pour une activité ou une situation.

Word origin

French ennui developed from Old French enui, meaning distress or boredom, which came from Latin inodium, meaning disgust or hatred.

Usage tips

  • The common everyday expression is je m'ennuie or s'ennuyer, while avoir de l'ennui sounds more formal and less usual.

Other meanings

  • wearinessnoun
  • troublenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word