Dimwitted: meaning, definitions and examples
🤷♂️
dimwitted
[ ˈdɪmˌwɪtɪd ]
describing intelligence
Dimwitted refers to a lack of intelligence or the inability to think or reason clearly. It is often used in a derogatory manner to describe someone perceived as foolish or slow in understanding.
Synonyms
dull-witted, foolish, obtuse, stupid
Examples of usage
- Despite his dimwitted remarks, she tried to explain the concept clearly.
- The dimwitted character in the film provided comic relief.
- I found his dimwitted questions quite frustrating.
- Her dimwitted decision cost them dearly in the end.
Translations
Translations of the word "dimwitted" in other languages:
🇵🇹 tolo
- estúpido
- burro
🇮🇳 मूर्ख
- बेवकूफ
- अज्ञानी
🇩🇪 dumm
- töricht
- blöd
🇮🇩 bodoh
- dungu
- tolol
🇺🇦 дурний
- тупий
- неповороткий
🇵🇱 głupi
- tępy
- naiwny
🇯🇵 愚かな
- 間抜けな
- 鈍い
🇫🇷 idiot
- bête
- nul
🇪🇸 tonto
- estúpido
- necio
🇹🇷 aptal
- salak
- dangalak
🇰🇷 바보
- 멍청이
- 어리석은
🇸🇦 غبي
- أحمق
- جاهل
🇨🇿 hloupý
- blbý
- naivní
🇸🇰 hlúpy
- násilný
- naivný
🇨🇳 愚蠢的
- 笨
- 傻
🇸🇮 neumen
- neumno
- nepametno
🇮🇸 heimskur
- fár
- óskynsamur
🇰🇿 ақылсыз
- түсініксіз
- надан
🇬🇪 ბრიყვი
- უბრალოდ
- უსწავლელი
🇦🇿 axmaq
- dünyadan xəbəri olmayan
- nadir
🇲🇽 tonto
- estúpido
- pendejo
Etymology
The word 'dimwitted' is a compound of 'dim', meaning 'not bright' or 'lacking in intelligence', and 'witted', derived from 'wit', which originally referred to the ability to think and reason. The term suggests a dullness not only in intelligence but also in mental quickness and sharpness. It is believed to have emerged in the English language around the early 20th century, reflecting a colloquial approach to describe someone whose cognitive abilities are perceived as limited. The usage of 'dim' can be traced back to the Old English 'dym', meaning 'dark, obscure', and 'witted' from Middle English 'wit', implying mental capacity. Over time, 'dimwitted' has come to be used most commonly in informal contexts, often as an insult implying ignorance or lack of common sense.