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Numbskull: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿคช
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numbskull

 

[ หˆnสŒmหŒskสŒl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal insult

The term 'numbskull' is used to describe a person who is perceived as foolish or lacking intelligence. Often, it is employed in a derogatory manner to criticize someone's lack of common sense or poor judgment. Despite its harshness, the word can sometimes be used in a light-hearted or joking context. It is often reserved for actions or behaviors that are considered particularly obtuse or thoughtless.

Synonyms

blockhead, dunce, fool, idiot, nitwit

Examples of usage

  • Don't be a numbskull and forget your keys again.
  • He acted like a numbskull by not studying for the exam.
  • Stop being a numbskull and just listen to the instructions.

Translations

Translations of the word "numbskull" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tolo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‚เคฐเฅเค–

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Dummkopf

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bodoh

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดัƒั€ะตะฝัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ gล‚upiec

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ„šใ‹่€…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท imbรฉcile

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ idiota

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aptal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐ”๋ณด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุญู…ู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hlupรกk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hlupรกk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ‚ป็“œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ neumen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรญflari

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐา›ั‹ะปัั‹ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ แƒแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ axmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tonto

Etymology

The word 'numbskull' originated in the early 18th century, derived from the combination of 'numb,' meaning insensitive or lacking feeling, and 'skull,' referring to the head. The term was likely used to suggest that a person's head was devoid of intelligence or thought, akin to being numb to understanding. The 'numb' aspect emphasizes a lack of mental sharpness, while 'skull' reinforces the focus on the mind. Over time, it has evolved into a colloquial insult used primarily in informal contexts to denote a foolish person. The use of 'numb' in this sense aligns with other historical usages in English that pertain to dullness or insensitivity, often reflecting societal attitudes towards intelligence.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,123, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.