daft
12 synonyms and 7 antonyms for daft, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Foolish, silly, or lacking good sense.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Foolish, silly, or lacking good sense.
“Don't be daft — of course I'll help you move house.”
Opposites
How to use daft
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a daft idea
don't be daft
daft as a brush
Etymology
From Old English dæfte, meaning "gentle" or "mild" — the meaning shifted over centuries from "meek" to "foolish," in a similar way to how "silly" once meant "innocent" but now means "foolish."
Full origin of daft →Frequently asked questions
What does “daft” mean?
The word “daft” means foolish, silly, or lacking good sense. In plain terms, foolish or silly — a very common British English word for something (or someone) not very sensible.
How do you pronounce “daft”?
“Daft” is pronounced dahft (/dæft/ in IPA).
How do you use “daft” in a sentence?
Here is “daft” used in a sentence: “Don't be daft — of course I'll help you move house.”
What part of speech is “daft”?
“Daft” is an adjective.
Where does the word “daft” come from?
The word “daft” comes from Old English. From Old English dæfte, meaning "gentle" or "mild" — the meaning shifted over centuries from "meek" to "foolish," in a similar way to how "silly" once meant "innocent" but now means "foolish.".
Is “daft” a common word?
“Daft” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “daft” have?
“Daft” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: foolish, silly, or lacking good sense.
