dunce
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for dunce, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone regarded as slow-witted or foolish, especially at learning.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Antonyms
How to use dunce
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
dunce cap
call someone a dunce
Etymology
From the name of the medieval philosopher John Duns Scotus — ironically a brilliant scholar. When Renaissance thinkers mocked his followers as old-fashioned, "dunce" shifted from meaning "stubborn traditionalist" to simply "stupid person."
Full origin of dunce →Frequently asked questions
What does “dunce” mean?
The word “dunce” means someone regarded as slow-witted or foolish, especially at learning. In plain terms, a mildly old-fashioned, somewhat insulting word for someone who seems dim or bad at schoolwork.
How do you pronounce “dunce”?
“Dunce” is pronounced duhns (/dʌns/ in IPA).
How do you use “dunce” in a sentence?
Here is “dunce” used in a sentence: “He felt like a dunce when he couldn't answer the simplest question.”
What part of speech is “dunce”?
“Dunce” is a noun.
