Daft: meaning, definitions and examples

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daft

[dɑːft ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

music

Silly, foolish, or crazy.

Synonyms

crazy, foolish, silly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
daft	Typically used in British English to describe someone or something as mildly silly or ridiculous. It’s often used in a light-hearted or playful manner rather than being overly critical. You must be daft to go out in this weather without a coat! He's a bit daft, but he's a lot of fun to be around.
silly	Describes someone or something as lacking seriousness or being frivolous. Typically used in a more affectionate or less serious way compared to 'foolish' or 'crazy'. Stop being so silly; we need to focus on the task at hand. She told a silly joke that made everyone laugh.
foolish	Used to describe someone who lacks good sense or judgment. This term has a somewhat negative connotation and implies that the person is making unwise decisions. It was foolish of him to quit his job without having another one lined up. Don't be foolish and ignore the warning signs.
crazy	Used to describe someone as mentally unstable or behaving in a wildly irrational manner. Can also be used informally to describe something as wildly fun or exciting. The term can carry a negative connotation when referring to someone's mental state. Driving at that speed in the rain? You must be crazy! That party was absolutely crazy – we had such a great time!

Examples of usage

He made a daft comment about the song lyrics.
Don't pay attention to his daft ideas.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

informal

Extremely good; excellent.

Synonyms

excellent, fantastic, outstanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
daft	Use when describing someone or something as foolish or silly. It often has a playful or slightly negative connotation. That was a daft idea Don't be daft; of course you can do it!
excellent	Use in formal or informal situations to describe something of very high quality or very good performance. She did an excellent job on the project That restaurant serves excellent food
outstanding	Best used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe something or someone superior and noticeably better than others. Her report was outstanding and impressed everyone The athlete gave an outstanding performance in the competition
fantastic	Suitable for informal situations when expressing great enthusiasm or excitement about something that is very good or impressive. We had a fantastic time at the party! Your new dress looks fantastic!

Examples of usage

That new album is daft!
Their performance was absolutely daft.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Middle English 'daft,' meaning 'soft' or 'gentle.'
Originally, it was used in the 14th century to describe someone as feeble-minded or lacking sense.

Pop Culture

The British comedy series 'The Office' features a character who often describes absurd situations as 'daft.'
In modern slang, it's common in the UK to hear someone say 'That’s just daft!' when reacting to something ridiculous.

Psychology

Using humor, such as calling something 'daft,' can be a coping mechanism to deal with frustration or confusion.
Interestingly, people often enjoy daft humor as it can create a sense of shared laughter and bonding.

Literature

Authors like Shakespeare have used similar terms to describe foolishness, highlighting how language around silliness has evolved.
In Lewis Carroll's works, the absurd and daft are celebrated, emphasizing the joy found in playful nonsense.

Historical Usage

In the 1800s, it became more common to use 'daft' in informal conversations, often associated with playful teasing.
The Scottish dialect retains a stronger usage of 'daft' to describe not just foolishness but also someone acting in a quirky or endearing manner.

Translations

Translations of the word "daft" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tolo

🇮🇳 मूर्ख

🇩🇪 dumm

🇮🇩 bodoh

🇺🇦 дурний

🇵🇱 głupi

🇯🇵 愚かな

🇫🇷 stupide

🇪🇸 tonto

🇹🇷 aptal

🇰🇷 어리석은

🇸🇦 أحمق

🇨🇿 hloupý

🇸🇰 hlúpy

🇨🇳 愚蠢的

🇸🇮 neumen

🇮🇸 heimskur

🇰🇿 ақымақ

🇬🇪 უცნობი

🇦🇿 axmaq

🇲🇽 tonto

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,839, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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26836 fixative
26837 triage
26838 ganglionic
26839 daft
26840 environmentalism
26841 genie
26842 bash
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