'boredom' originates from English, formed from 'bored' (past participle of the verb 'bore') + the suffix '-dom', where 'bored' meant 'made weary or tired by tediousness' and '-dom' meant 'state or condition'.

'boredom' was coined in the late 18th century (c.1790s) from 'bored' + '-dom'. The adjective 'bored' (past participle of 'bore') appeared in the 18th century, while the verb 'bore' (meaning to weary by tedious talk or action) dates from earlier usage in the 16th century; the suffix '-dom' goes back to Old English 'dōm' meaning 'state, condition'.

Initially, the elements described a condition of being wearied or annoyed by tediousness; over time this became the standard noun meaning 'the state of being bored' and has retained that sense in modern English.