mundane | SAT Word of the Day
Not all excitement is welcomed; sometimes we prefer a more mundane existence.
ℹ️ Part of speech of mundane
mundane is an ADJECTIVE.
🗣️ Pronunciation of mundane
mundane is pronounced /mʌn.ˈdeɪn/ or mun-DAYN.
📚️ Definition of mundane
Lacking interest or excitement; dull or ordinary: the mundane tasks of everyday life.
Of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one: mundane concerns.
🌍 Etymology of mundane
Have you heard of Telemundo? If so, that can help you remember the word mundane, which comes from the Latin "mundus," meaning "world." You can see this same root in Spanish and Portuguese "mundo" (world).
Originally, mundane referred to things belonging to the earthly world (like money) as opposed to heavenly realms (like heavenly beings), before it took on its current meaning of "ordinary" or "commonplace."
📰 Examples
Here are some examples of mundane in usage:
In our mundane existence, it is love, and love alone, that makes the impossible possible. (Unless you're a billionaire, of course.)
The glamorous lives of celebrities on social media stand in stark contrast to the mundane reality of most people's daily routines: waking up, going to school or work, feeling tired, homework, and so on. Lather, rinse, repeat.
After climbing Half Dome, returning to the mundane task of cleaning your tent in Curry Village may seem underwhelming.
The mundane task of making your bed each morning might seem insignificant, but as Admiral McRaven has said, "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."