General
gormless
What does gormless mean?
Stupid, vacant or slow-witted. Originated in Northern dialect, now widespread.
"He just stood there looking gormless."
Origin
Northern English; from dialect 'gaum/gorm' (understanding) plus '-less'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'gormless' mean?
It means clueless, dim or lacking sense; vacant and slow-witted.
Where does 'gormless' come from?
From Northern dialect 'gaum' or 'gorm' meaning understanding, plus '-less'.
Is 'gormless' still only Northern?
It originated in Northern dialect but is now widespread across British English.
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