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Unintelligent: meaning, definitions and examples

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unintelligent

 

[ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

description

Lacking intelligence or understanding. Showing a lack of intelligence or judgement.

Synonyms

foolish, ignorant, stupid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unintelligent

Use this word when referring to someone or something that lacks ability to understand or learn quickly, but not necessarily in a mean or offensive way.

  • The new robot seemed unintelligent compared to the more advanced models
  • He is hardworking but somewhat unintelligent in technical subjects
stupid

This word is generally used in a harsh and offensive manner to describe someone who lacks intelligence or common sense. It is best avoided in polite conversation.

  • That was a stupid thing to say, and it hurt her feelings
  • He felt stupid after failing to solve the simple puzzle
foolish

This word describes someone who acts in a way that lacks good sense or judgment, often in a risky or silly manner. It carries a lighter, sometimes humorous connotation.

  • It was foolish of him to go out in the storm without an umbrella
  • She made a foolish mistake on the exam, but everyone laughed it off
ignorant

This word is used to describe someone who lacks knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular topic. It can be neutral but often has a slightly negative connotation.

  • She was ignorant of the local customs and accidentally offended someone
  • His ignorance about the modern technologies was quite evident in the meeting

Examples of usage

  • He was often criticized for his unintelligent remarks during the meeting.
  • She made an unintelligent decision by investing all her money in a risky business.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the combination of 'un-', a prefix meaning 'not', and 'intelligent', which means 'having good understanding'.
  • The roots of 'intelligent' trace back to the Latin word 'intelligentem', meaning 'understanding' or 'to understand'.
  • Using prefixes like 'un-' is common in English to create antonyms; similarly, 'happy' becomes 'unhappy' to mean 'not happy'.

Psychology

  • Research indicates that intelligence is not a fixed trait but can be developed through education and learning.
  • Tests of cognitive abilities are often misinterpreted; they measure specific skills rather than a person's full potential.
  • Emotional and social intelligence, which are often overlooked, are just as important as traditional measurements of intelligence.

Pop Culture

  • The term is often used in satire and humor, particularly in memes and cartoons characterizing certain individuals or situations.
  • Popular films frequently depict 'unintelligent' characters for comedic effect, exaggerating traits for laughs rather than realism.
  • Reality TV shows sometimes feature contestants who are portrayed as 'unintelligent' to heighten drama and entertainment value.

Education

  • The education system aims to address gaps in understanding, ensuring that everyone has access to learning opportunities.
  • Curriculums are increasingly designed to foster critical thinking skills rather than relying solely on rote memorization.
  • There is a growing recognition of diverse intelligences, advocating that everyone has unique ways of learning and understanding the world.

Sociology

  • Using the term 'unintelligent' can perpetuate stigma; society may label individuals instead of addressing systemic issues that affect learning.
  • Social classes and access to resources influence perceived intelligence; not everyone has equal opportunities to develop their skills.
  • The label can affect self-esteem, as individuals labeled as 'unintelligent' may internalize negative perceptions, affecting their performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "unintelligent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não inteligente

🇮🇳 बुद्धिहीन

🇩🇪 unintelligent

🇮🇩 tidak cerdas

🇺🇦 неінтелігентний

🇵🇱 nieinteligentny

🇯🇵 知能が低い

🇫🇷 inintelligent

🇪🇸 no inteligente

🇹🇷 akılsız

🇰🇷 지능이 낮은

🇸🇦 غير ذكي

🇨🇿 neinteligentní

🇸🇰 neinteligentný

🇨🇳 不聪明

🇸🇮 neinteligenten

🇮🇸 ógreindur

🇰🇿 ақылсыз

🇬🇪 არაინტელექტუალური

🇦🇿 ağılsız

🇲🇽 no inteligente

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,909, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.