Boneheaded: meaning, definitions and examples

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boneheaded

 

[ ˈboʊnˌhɛdɪd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing behavior

The term 'boneheaded' is used to describe a person or an action that is considered foolish or lacking in common sense. It often implies a degree of stupidity that is surprising or disappointing, suggesting that the subject has made a blunder that could have been avoided with a bit more thought. Common scenarios where this term is used may highlight decisions made without careful consideration or a failure to learn from past mistakes.

Synonyms

asinine, foolish, idiotic, stupid

Examples of usage

  • He made a boneheaded mistake by ignoring the warning signs.
  • Her boneheaded comments during the meeting surprised everyone.
  • It was a boneheaded decision to invest without doing any research.
  • I can't believe he thought that was a good idea; it was so boneheaded.

Translations

Translations of the word "boneheaded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tonto

🇮🇳 बेवकूफ

🇩🇪 dumm

🇮🇩 bodoh

🇺🇦 дурний

🇵🇱 głupi

🇯🇵 馬鹿な

🇫🇷 idiot

🇪🇸 tonto

🇹🇷 aptal

🇰🇷 바보 같은

🇸🇦 أحمق

🇨🇿 hloupý

🇸🇰 hlúpy

🇨🇳 愚蠢的

🇸🇮 neumen

🇮🇸 fárí

🇰🇿 ақылсыз

🇬🇪 ბრიყვი

🇦🇿 axmaq

🇲🇽 tonto

Etymology

The term 'boneheaded' originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It is a compound of the word 'bone,' which often refers to something hard, rigid, or lacking in flexibility, and 'headed,' which denotes the nature or characteristic of a person. The implication is that someone who is 'boneheaded' has a hard head when it comes to thinking or reasoning, suggesting that their thinking is stubbornly unyielding and devoid of wisdom. Over the years, this term has found its way into various forms of popular culture, including literature and film, often used to humorously describe characters exhibiting particularly foolish behavior. Its playful yet critical connotation makes it a popular choice for expressing disapproval of someone's lack of judgment.