Fatuously: meaning, definitions and examples

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fatuously

 

[ ˈfæ.tʃ.ju.əs.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

behavioral description

Fatuously refers to acting in a foolish or silly manner, often lacking intelligence or thoughtfulness. It describes actions or statements that are insipid or devoid of substance, which can lead to misunderstanding or ridicule. People may use the term to criticize someone for being naive or complacent in their thinking. The adverb emphasizes that the behavior is not only foolish but also somewhat oblivious to its implications.

Synonyms

foolishly, mindlessly, silly, witlessly

Examples of usage

  • She fatuously laughed at the serious issue.
  • He fatuously insisted that everything would be fine without any evidence.
  • They fatuously believed they could succeed without any preparation.

Translations

Translations of the word "fatuously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 de forma fútil

🇮🇳 बेवकूफी से

🇩🇪 töricht

🇮🇩 secara bodoh

🇺🇦 дурно

🇵🇱 głupio

🇯🇵 愚かに

🇫🇷 de manière futile

🇪🇸 de manera fútil

🇹🇷 saçma bir şekilde

🇰🇷 어리석게

🇸🇦 بشكل سطحي

🇨🇿 hloupě

🇸🇰 hlúpo

🇨🇳 愚蠢地

🇸🇮 neumno

🇮🇸 heimskulega

🇰🇿 ақылсыздықпен

🇬🇪 ბუნებრივად

🇦🇿 axmaqcasına

🇲🇽 de manera tonta

Etymology

The word 'fatuously' comes from the adjective 'fatuous', which has roots in the Latin word 'fatuus', meaning 'foolish' or 'silly'. This term began to be used in English in the late 17th century, predominantly to describe someone who is naïve or lacking in common sense. The adverbial form, 'fatuously', was derived in the early 20th century, extending its usage into describing actions or behaviors that reflect a lack of wisdom. Over time, the usage of 'fatuously' has often been found in literary and critical contexts, where it serves to highlight the ridiculousness of a situation caused by foolish reasoning or choices. The connotations associated with fatuously have remained consistent, aligning closely with judgment regarding the lack of awareness or intelligence in behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,889, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.