What is tedious? Pronunciation and usage in English

tedious means . Learn how to pronounce and use tedious through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of tedious

tediousadjective

/ˈtiːdiəs//ˈtiːdiəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "tedious." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "tedious" is divided into three syllables:

  • teh (like "teh" in "telephone")
  • dee (like "dee" in "delicious")
  • us (rhymes with "bus")

2. Sounds:

  • "teh": This is often the hardest part. It’s a short, unstressed “uh” sound. Don't pronounce it like “ted”. It's a very quick, subtle sound. Think of it as a barely-there "uh".

  • "dee": This is pronounced as in "delicious" – a clear "d" followed by the "ee" sound.

  • "us": This is pronounced like "bus" - the "u" sound is a short "uh" sound.

3. Putting it together:

The whole word is pronounced roughly like: teh-DEE-uhs

4. Tips and Considerations:

Would you like me to:

  • Record an example of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some similar words to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word tedious in English

Let's break down how to use the word "tedious" effectively in English.

1. Meaning:

"Tedious" describes something that is extremely boring, dull, and repetitive. It implies a lack of interest and often involves a feeling of weariness or frustration. It’s more than just “boring”; it suggests a deeper sense of drudgery.

2. Parts of Speech:

  • Adjective: This is the most common use. It describes a noun.
    • Example: "The paperwork was incredibly tedious." (Describes the paperwork)
    • Example: "He found the lecture to be extremely tedious." (Describes the lecture)

3. How to Use It (Examples & Nuances):

  • Describing Tasks: This is the most frequent application.

    • "Cleaning the house is a tedious chore."
    • "The filing process is quite tedious and time-consuming."
    • "I find proofreading reports terribly tedious."

  • Describing Activities:

    • "Listening to the same song on repeat was tedious."
    • "The journey was tedious – hours of driving through flat, monotonous countryside."

  • Describing Situations/Experiences:

    • “Being stuck in traffic is incredibly tedious.”
    • “Dealing with that customer’s endless complaints was tedious.”

  • Describing Writing/Speaking (Less Common): You can use it to describe something that's long and uninteresting.

    • “The book's detailed descriptions of the characters' daily routines were tedious.”

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Using synonyms can help you vary your vocabulary and make your writing more engaging. Here are some options:

  • Boring
  • Dull
  • Monotonous
  • Wearisome
  • Repetitive
  • Slow
  • Lengthy
  • Archaic (sometimes – suggests something old and uninteresting)

5. Important Considerations & Tone:

  • Intensity: “Tedious” implies a significant level of boredom. If something is just mildly boring, “boring” is often a better choice.

  • Tone: "Tedious" can sometimes carry a slightly negative or complaining tone. Be mindful of your writing style.

6. Example Sentences (combining elements):

  • "The tedious task of sorting through years of old invoices made Sarah feel utterly exhausted."
  • “He avoided the tedious meetings, preferring to work on more creative projects.”
  • “Despite the tedious nature of the research, she was determined to uncover the truth.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., essay, story, email, report?)
  • Can you provide a sentence or context where you’d like to use “tedious”?

Synonyms for the word tedious

Practice with vocabulary tedious

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The manual data entry process for thousands of records was so ________ that many employees struggled to maintain focus.
  2. To successfully complete the project, the team realized it was ________ to collaborate effectively and meet the tight deadlines.
  3. Reviewing the lengthy contract line by line for any discrepancies became an increasingly ________ task after several hours.
  4. The intricate details of the financial model were quite ________, requiring a deep understanding of advanced statistical methods.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words best describes a task that is long, repetitive, and lacks excitement? A) engaging B) monotonous C) stimulating D) arduous E) tedious

  2. Working on the assembly line, performing the same motion repeatedly for an entire shift, can be particularly ________. A) invigorating B) tiresome C) exhilarating D) tedious E) enthralling

  3. The legal team determined that adhering to all the updated privacy regulations was absolutely ________ for avoiding potential fines. A) optional B) imperative C) trivial D) crucial E) negligible

  4. The process of meticulously checking every single component in the legacy system was a ________ undertaking, demanding immense patience and attention to detail. A) straightforward B) thrilling C) painstaking D) tedious E) simple

  5. Which words describe a complex problem that requires advanced skills and careful thought to solve? A) simplistic B) intricate C) challenging D) effortless E) straightforward

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The continuous, unvarying work of analyzing large datasets often makes researchers feel uninspired and bored. (Rewrite using a word related to "tedious")
  2. Ensuring all safety protocols are followed is extremely important for preventing workplace accidents. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement for "extremely important")
  3. Many employees find administrative duties like filing thousands of documents to be quite dull and time-consuming. (Rewrite using "tedious")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. tedious
  2. crucial (or "imperative", "essential")
  3. tedious
  4. complex (or "challenging", "intricate")

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) monotonous, E) tedious
  2. B) tiresome, D) tedious
  3. B) imperative, D) crucial
  4. C) painstaking, D) tedious
  5. B) intricate, C) challenging

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The continuous, unvarying work of analyzing large datasets is often perceived as tedious by researchers. (or "often proves tedious to researchers.")
  2. Ensuring all safety protocols are followed is imperative for preventing workplace accidents. (or "is crucial for preventing workplace accidents.")
  3. Many employees find administrative duties like filing thousands of documents to be quite tedious.

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