The Difference Between Bored and Boring (2024)

Bored is an English adjective used when someone is uninterested or uninspired by a person or event.Boring an English adjective is used to describe the object or person that makes us feel uninterested or uninspired.

To understand more, watch this video. It turns out that the understanding the difference between adjectives that end in ED or ING is a common problem for English students.

Boring vs. Bored:

Bored can only be used to describe how a person feels. A movie cannot be bored. A person can be boring, because a person can cause another person to feel bored.

Examples of how bored and boring are used:

  • Maria was bored by the football game.
  • I was so bored at Michael’s party I fell asleep.
  • This book is very boring.
  • Mary is a boring teacher.

English expressions about boredom:

  • I am bored stiff.
  • I am bored to tears.
  • I am bored to death.

Advice for Using Bored or Boring:

If you say I am bored,this is correct. Here you are expressing your feelings of being uninterested and uninspired.
If you say I am boring, this is incorrect (we hope). It means your personal qualities are boring to other people.

Using boring or bored with “get.”

  • This movie is boring.
  • This movie gets boring quickly.
  • Maria is bored.
  • Maria gets bored easily.

Boring or Bored Exercise:

One of each of the statements is incorrect in each pair. See if you know which is correct.


Jonathan was incredibly bored at Mary’s wedding and left at 4 pm.
Jonathan was incredibly boring at Mary’s wedding and left at 4 pm.


I have heard that the island is beautiful but that there isn’t much to do and it can get boring easily, especially in winter.
I have heard that the island is beautiful but that there isn’t much to do and it can get bored easily, especially in winter.


He played video games every day and I was so boring I moved out.
He played video games every day and I was so bored I moved out.


Green is a very boring color on you.
Green is a very bored color on you.


If you are so bored by the course you chose, switch to a different one.
If you are so boring by the course you chose, switch to a different one.

Want to continue learning? Check out our complete guide to English adjectives.

The Difference Between Bored and Boring (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of bored enough? ›

feeling tired and unhappy because something is not interesting or because you have nothing to do: He was getting bored doing the same thing every day. (Definition of bored from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

What is the rule for boring and bored? ›

As we teach in our English classes, boring is an –ing adjective that describes a thing or person that causes this feeling. Bored is an –ed adjective that describes the person that feels the effect of this feeling.

Am I bored or am I boring? ›

Advice for Using Bored or Boring:

If you say I am bored, this is correct. Here you are expressing your feelings of being uninterested and uninspired. If you say I am boring, this is incorrect (we hope). It means your personal qualities are boring to other people.

How do I know if I'm boring? ›

Boring people are predictable. They use too many tired cliches. They agree too readily and too often, and they rarely express any strong opinions of their own. Bores can sometimes be overly-solicitous—they appear too nice, always complimenting others over and over again.

What is simple vs boring? ›

But as we've explored, a simple life isn't synonymous with being boring. It's about finding joy in the little things, valuing experiences over possessions, engaging in meaningful conversations, and being at peace with yourself. So if you see yourself in these signs, celebrate your preference for simplicity.

Does bored mean lazy? ›

Laziness is a habit and lack of discipline. It may also be a character or personality trait (which is not to say it cannot be changed, as it most certainly can). Boredom is state of being and condition, which may be temporary or chronic. Boredom can lead to laziness and laziness can lead to boredom.

Does bored mean lonely? ›

Loneliness is the feeling of being without a friend in the world, even in a crowded room. Boredom is lots of things to do if you go find them, but couldn't be bothered doing any of them because they are boring. Loneliness is more to do with how you feel about yourself and how comfortable you are in your own company.

What is an example of bored? ›

There was a bored expression on her face. She plays the role of a bored housewife. She was rather bored with her life in a small town. bored with/of somebody/something | bored with/of doing something The children quickly got bored with staying indoors.

What makes you not bored? ›

Join a club, try a new hobby, play a game, read a book or cook a new recipe to ignite your creativity and provide a distraction from boredom. Get outdoors. Spending time with nature is one of the best therapeutic ways to ward off boredom. It also promotes creative thinking.

What is the meaning of boring? ›

: causing weariness and restlessness through lack of interest : causing boredom : tiresome. a boring lecture. boringly. ˈbȯr-iŋ-lē

Am I bored or am I lonely? ›

In its simplest form, loneliness is having purpose — thoughts, interests and passions but no one to share them with. In contrast, boredom is having people with whom to share but lacking in the sense of satisfaction, gratification and productivity.

Do healthy relationships feel boring? ›

A healthy relationship can feel boring and lonely when you've been used to toxicity, chaos and instability. Our nervous systems become conditioned to survive in the uncertain circ*mstances.

Why do I feel boring? ›

Feeling unsatisfied by an activity, or uninterested in it, can lead to boredom. Boredom may occur when you feel energetic but have nowhere to direct your energy. It may also occur when you have difficulty focusing on a task. Boredom is a common complaint among children and adolescents.

How do you explain the word boring? ›

adjective. causing or marked by boredom; dull and uninteresting; tiresome: to have a boring time. a boring discussion; to have a boring time.

How do you describe something boring? ›

adjective. so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness. “a boring evening with uninteresting people” synonyms: deadening, dull, ho-hum, irksome, slow, tedious, tiresome, wearisome uninteresting. arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement.

Is it she is bored or boring? ›

Both are correct. They mean different things. "She is boring" means she is not an interesting person. "She is bored" means she is not doing anything exciting.

What is considered boring? ›

The personal qualities most strongly associated with being boring included the following: Not having any interests, having only very narrow ones, or perhaps having only one. Not being funny and having no sense of humor. Lacking in opinions. Complaining a lot and being negative.

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