Tedium

Noun

Definition: The state or feeling of being bored, fatigued, or uninterested due to tediousness or monotonousness.

Synonyms: Boredom, Monotony, Weariness

Antonyms: Excitement, Interest, Stimulation

Examples:

The tedium of doing repetitive tasks at work made him lose motivation.
The long lecture was filled with such tedium that many students fell asleep.

Mnemonics:

Tedium sounds similar to "tedious," which means something is dull or monotonous.

Etymology:

Origin:

Tedium originated from the Latin word "taedium" meaning weariness or disgust.

Historical Usage:

The word entered the English language in the mid-17th century and has been used to describe a state of boredom or monotony ever since.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"The tedium of everyday life"

Explanation:

Refers to the monotonous and boring aspects of daily routines or tasks that can make life feel tedious.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing tedium with boredom only.

Explanation:

While tedium is closely related to boredom, it specifically refers to the feeling of being bored due to tediousness or monotony, rather than a general feeling of disinterest or lack of stimulation.