Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

watch paint dry

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.28 in modern English

Syllables: watch -paint dry
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

2

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To watch something that has virtually no movement, hence, something very boring.

Humorous

Example Sentences

"I expected his new play to be as good as the last, but it was like watching paint dry."
"I click on it. And wait. And wait. And wait. Why does it take so long? It's so slow. This is worse than watching paint dry. Not that I've actually ever watched paint dry. Or even painted."
"“I am starving, that is true. But I'd never get bored. I could watch paint dry with you and I wouldn't get bored.” “You could watch paint dry with me? That sounds delightful,” I say."

Usage

Humorous

Inflected Forms

watches paint dry (present, singular) watching paint dry (participle, present) watched paint dry (participle, past) watched paint dry (past)

Synonyms

watch grass grow

Questions

What does watch paint dry mean?: To watch something that has virtually no movement, hence, something very boring.

How to pronounce watch paint dry

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “watch paint dry”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “watch paint dry” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.