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doldrums

plural noun
dol·​drums | \ ˈdōl-drəmz How to pronounce doldrums (audio) , ˈdäl- How to pronounce doldrums (audio) , ˈdȯl-\

Definition of doldrums

1 : a spell of listlessness or despondency fighting off the winter doldrums
2 often capitalized, oceanography : a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms (see calm entry 1 sense 1b), squalls, and light shifting winds
3 : a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump out of the economic doldrums
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about doldrums

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Did You Know?

Everyone gets the doldrums - a feeling of low spirits and lack of energy - every once in a while. The doldrums experienced by sailors, however, are usually of a different variety. In the mid-19th century, the word once reserved for a feeling of despondency came to be applied to certain tropical regions of the ocean marked by the absence of strong winds. Sailing vessels, reliant on wind propulsion, struggled to make headway in these regions, leading to long, arduous journeys. The exact etymology of doldrums is not certain, though it is believed to be related to the Old English dol, meaning "foolish" - a history it shares with our adjective "dull."

Examples of doldrums in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 With Germany’s economy in the doldrums, a poll of German executives found that business confidence had dropped to levels last seen in 2009, during the financial crisis. — The Economist, "Business this week," 31 Aug. 2019 July brought some zip to a Portland area housing market that had been in the doldrums relative to the past few years, but the rally might prove short-lived. — oregonlive.com, "Portland metro home sales pick up in July as mortgage rates tumble," 14 Aug. 2019 The movie came out in August (then viewed as the doldrums of the blockbuster season) and advertised itself with a poster that listed the five human senses and hinted at a sixth that involved a little boy and was, well, really spooky. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "How The Sixth Sense Conquered Hollywood in 1999," 6 Aug. 2019 And that is the real story from Detroit as the campaign enters the August doldrums. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, "The Democratic Party Is Culling the Field Too Soon," 1 Aug. 2019 Protests and anger over the bill have reinvigorated an opposition movement that had appeared to be in the doldrums after repeated losses in the wake of the 2014 Umbrella Movement. — James Griffiths, CNN, "Hong Kong protesters clash with police as summer of discontent continues," 1 July 2019 But when the doldrums of everyday life set in, think about creating again. — Steve Booren, The Denver Post, "Improving investor behavior: Retire to what?," 16 June 2019 This could help to pull the agrarian economy out of the doldrums and generate employment for thousands of farmers. — Devangshu Datta, Quartz India, "Legalising cannabis could be one solution to India’s agrarian distress," 30 May 2019 What to do when the doldrums of midwinter stretch on and on (and on)? — Vogue, "Need a Read? Here Are 4 New Books We're Loving," 26 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doldrums.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of doldrums

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for doldrums

probably akin to Old English dol foolish

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More Definitions for doldrums

doldrums

noun
How to pronounce doldrums (audio) How to pronounce doldrums (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of doldrums

: a state or period of sadness or depression
: a state or period in which there is no activity or improvement

doldrums

noun plural
dol·​drums | \ ˈdōl-drəmz How to pronounce doldrums (audio) , ˈdäl-, ˈdȯl-\

Kids Definition of doldrums

1 : a spell of sadness I tried to cheer her of her doldrums.
2 : a period of no activity or improvement Her business was in the doldrums.
3 : a part of the ocean near the equator known for its calms

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