mundane

adjective mun·dane \ˌmən-ˈdān, ˈmən-ˌ\

: dull and ordinary

: relating to ordinary life on earth rather than to spiritual things

Full Definition of MUNDANE

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the world

: characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary : commonplace <the mundane concerns of day-to-day life>

— mun·dane·ly adverb

— mun·dane·ness \-ˈdān-nəs, -ˌdān-\ noun

— mun·dan·i·ty \ˌmən-ˈdā-nə-tē\ noun

See mundane defined for English-language learners

See mundane defined for kids

Examples of MUNDANE

On him, a mundane navy blazer looked like an Armani dinner jacket; around him, a dusky locker room became the chandeliered lobby of the Savoy. —Curry Kirkpatrick, ESPN, 19 Mar. 2001
How did our ancestors pass from the mundane activity of counting to the concept of ‘number’ in the abstract, devoid of any particular collection of objects to label? —John D. Barrow, Pi in the Sky, 1992
They decided on buttock tattoos, rather than the more mundane engagement ring, because a tattoo is permanent. You can always pawn a ring. —Mike Royko, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 1988
The day began with the mundane business of getting my white chiffon dress shortened … —Lady Bird Johnson, January 14, 1964, in A White House Diary, 1970
[+]more [-]hide

Origin of MUNDANE

Middle English mondeyne, from Anglo-French mundain, from Late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus world

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MUNDANE

Synonyms: everyday, nitty-gritty, prosaic, terrestrial, workaday

Antonyms: heavenly, nontemporal, unearthly, unworldly

Synonym Discussion of MUNDANE

earthly, worldly, mundane mean belonging to or characteristic of the earth. earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual <abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent>. worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification <worldly goods> and mundane suggesting reference to the immediate and practical <a mundane discussion of finances>.

MUNDANE Defined for Kids