adj
asinine
AS-ih-nyn
Asinine (adj) means Extremely foolish or lacking common sense. Example: “It was an asinine decision to drive through the flood water.”
adj
1
Extremely foolish or lacking common sense.
"It was an asinine decision to drive through the flood water."
"He made an asinine comment that embarrassed the whole team."
How to use asinine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, slightly insulting way to call something stupid or silly.
When to use it
Fairly formal and biting — often used in writing to criticize a plan, comment, or decision.
Easily confused with
asinine →
asine
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more asinine
- Superlative
- most asinine
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was an _____ decision to drive through the flood water.
Etymology
From Latin asininus, "of a donkey" — the same root as ass, the animal known for stubbornness.
Related words
Rhymes for asinine
See all rhymes for asinine →Frequently asked questions
What does “asinine” mean?
The word “asinine” means extremely foolish or lacking common sense. In plain terms, a strong, slightly insulting way to call something stupid or silly.
How do you pronounce “asinine”?
“Asinine” is pronounced AS-ih-nyn (/ˈæs.ɪ.naɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “asinine” in a sentence?
Here is “asinine” used in a sentence: “It was an asinine decision to drive through the flood water.”
What is another word for “asinine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “asinine” include asinary and assy.
What part of speech is “asinine”?
“Asinine” is an adjective.
Where does the word “asinine” come from?
The word “asinine” comes from Latin. From Latin asininus, "of a donkey" — the same root as ass, the animal known for stubbornness.
