When you need this
A rainy Sunday, a long wait at the airport, a party where you know nobody. Being bored is ordinary, and saying so is a small way to start a conversation: the other person usually has an idea, or they are bored too.
Watch one trap. "I'm bored" means you feel nothing is interesting. "I'm boring" means you are a dull person. Learners mix these up all the time, and the second one gets a laugh you didn't want. The same goes for other pairs: "I'm tired" and "it's tiring", "I'm interested" and "it's interesting". The -ed word is how you feel; the -ing word is the thing that makes you feel it.
People also make boredom bigger than it is, for fun. "I'm bored out of my mind" is not a medical report; it's a friendly complaint.
Phrases
nothing around you is interesting right now
the activity, film or class is dull
very bored; a big, friendly way to say it
the usual reason people give for being bored
you have free time and no plan for it
you have been home too long and want to go out
work, a shop or a day with very little happening
asking for an idea or a task
minutes feel long when you're bored
a casual way to invite someone out of boredom
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
The -ed word is the feeling. The -ing word is the cause.
Practice · 3 min
Say how it feels. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.