daft
dahft
Daft (adj) means Foolish, silly, or lacking good sense. Example: “Don't be daft — of course I'll help you move house.”
adj
1
Foolish, silly, or lacking good sense.
"Don't be daft — of course I'll help you move house."
"It was a daft idea to go hiking without checking the weather first."
2
Mentally unwell or acting irrationally; crazy.
"He went a bit daft after losing his job, spending money he didn't have."
How to use daft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFoolish or silly — a very common British English word for something (or someone) not very sensible.
UK vs US
Common and casual in British English; American speakers would more likely say "silly" or "crazy."
Common pairings
a daft idea
don't be daft
daft as a brush
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Word forms
- Comparative
- dafter
- Superlative
- daftest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't be _____ — of course I'll help you move house.
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for daft
See all rhymes for 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.
