mundane

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/mʌnˈdeɪn/
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Ordinary life seen as dull or practical, with an older contrast between earthly and spiritual things and a niche noun for someone outside a subculture.

Examples

  • She felt like a mundane among the elite artists.
  • He escaped the mundane paperwork by taking a walk outside.
  • The novel's protagonist is a mundane who discovers a hidden world.
  • The sermon contrasted divine mercy with mundane ambition.
  • The poem moves between heavenly visions and mundane grief.

Similar words

outsider
secular
layperson
civilian
ordinary person
unremarkable
nonspiritual
commonplace
nonfan
temporal

Meanings

Ordinary and dull

adjective
everyday
neutral
So ordinary or routine that it feels uninteresting.

Examples

  • The mundane routine of commuting made him sleepy.
  • She found the lecture mundane, so she checked her phone.
  • Even mundane chores can be calming when done slowly.
  • The novel's plot felt mundane, with no real surprises.
  • He escaped the mundane paperwork by taking a walk outside.

Similar words

Worldly or earthly

adjective
religion
neutral
Belonging to ordinary earthly life rather than to spiritual, heavenly, or supernatural matters.

Examples

  • The monk tried to put aside mundane desires.
  • The sermon contrasted divine mercy with mundane ambition.
  • Pilgrims still had mundane needs for food, shelter, and rest.
  • The poem moves between heavenly visions and mundane grief.
  • She studied how sacred rituals shape mundane life.

Similar words

Outsider to a subculture

noun
culture
informal
A person outside a particular subculture or fictional world, especially someone without special, magical, or insider status.

Examples

  • In the wizarding world, a mundane is someone without magical abilities.
  • The hero disguised himself as a mundane to blend in.
  • Some fans call people outside the fandom mundanes.
  • She felt like a mundane among the elite artists.
  • The novel's protagonist is a mundane who discovers a hidden world.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English mondeyne, from Anglo-French mundain, from Late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus, meaning "world".

FAQ

What does mundane mean?

Mundane usually means ordinary, routine, and not very interesting.

Can mundane mean worldly?

Yes. In older or more formal use, mundane can mean earthly or worldly rather than spiritual.

Is mundane always negative?

Not always. It often suggests dullness, but it can simply describe ordinary practical life.

Can mundane be a noun?

Yes. In fandom, gaming, or fantasy contexts, a mundane is an outsider or a person without special powers.

What is a synonym for mundane?

For the common adjective sense, ordinary, commonplace, and humdrum are close synonyms.

What is the opposite of mundane?

Extraordinary is a common opposite for the dull ordinary sense, while spiritual contrasts with the worldly sense.

Where does mundane come from?

Mundane comes through French and Late Latin from Latin mundus, meaning "world".

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