tediously

IPA/ˈtiːdiəsli/
KK[tˈidiəsli]IPA/ˈtiːdiəsli/

tediously — adverb

1. if something happens or is done tediously, it goes on for so long without anythi

1.adverbC1
Definition

if something happens or is done tediously, it goes on for so long without anything interesting that people start to feel bored and impatient.

Example

The meeting dragged on tediously while Aarav read every line of the report aloud.

tediously modifying a verb of slow continuation (drag on)

Greta explained the rules tediously, repeating each small step three or four times.

tediously after a verb of speaking, showing slow repetition

Common collocations
  • tediously slow
  • tediously long
  • drag on tediously
  • explain tediously
Synonyms
  • boringly

    stresses dullness but not the dragging length

  • monotonously

    stresses lack of change or variety, often in sound or routine

  • wearisomely

    more formal; stresses the tiredness the dullness causes

Antonyms
  • excitingly

    keeps people interested rather than bored

Usage Note

Almost always describes a process, task, or performance that both lasts a long time and lacks interest. Often pairs with verbs of continuing (drag on, go on) or with the adjective 'slow' to stress the dullness.

Common Mistakes

The cut on her arm healed tediously.
The cut on her arm healed slowly.
'tediously' needs a sense of boredom, not just slowness; a healing wound is not boring.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These three adverbs all describe dull experiences, but they stress different things. 'Tediously' combines two ideas at once: something is boring AND it goes on too long, so impatience builds up — 'the lecture went on tediously for two hours.' 'Boringly' points only at the lack of interest, with no claim about length — 'he spoke boringly about his stamp collection.' 'Monotonously' stresses sameness, the absence of any change in sound, pace, or pattern — 'the rain fell monotonously all night.' So a short talk can be boringly dull, a steady drumbeat can be monotonous, but only a long, dragging, dull process is truly tedious.

tediously ↗boringly ↗monotonously ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • tediously slow
  • tediously long
  • drag on tediously

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Built from the adjective 'tedious' plus the adverb ending '-ly'. 'Tedious' came into English through Old French from the Late Latin word 'taediosus', meaning full of weariness, which itself grew from 'taedium', a feeling of boredom or disgust. So at its root the word carries the idea of something that wears you out by being dull.