Doyle
Doyle (noun) means slang for a foolish or stupid person. Example: “Stop acting like such a doyle and read the instructions.”
How to use Doyle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn informal insult meaning "idiot," mostly heard in British and Irish slang.
Informal and mildly insulting; mainly used in casual British/Irish speech.
Word forms
Doyles plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stop acting like such a _____ and read the instructions.
Etymology
From the Irish surname Doyle, itself from Ó Dubhghaill, though the slang insult sense arose independently as playground/informal usage.
Rhymes for Doyle
See all rhymes for Doyle →Frequently asked questions
What does “Doyle” mean?
The word “Doyle” means slang for a foolish or stupid person. In plain terms, an informal insult meaning "idiot," mostly heard in British and Irish slang.
How do you pronounce “Doyle”?
“Doyle” is pronounced doyl (/dɔɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Doyle” in a sentence?
Here is “Doyle” used in a sentence: “Stop acting like such a doyle and read the instructions.”
What part of speech is “Doyle”?
“Doyle” is a noun.
Where does the word “Doyle” come from?
The word “Doyle” comes from Irish. From the Irish surname Doyle, itself from Ó Dubhghaill, though the slang insult sense arose independently as playground/informal usage.
Is “Doyle” a common word?
“Doyle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Doyle used as an insult?
Yes. As slang, Doyle is used informally to describe a foolish or stupid person, so it functions as a mild insult rather than a neutral description.
Is Doyle a formal or informal word?
Doyle in this sense is informal slang and is not used in formal writing or speech. It appears mainly in casual conversation.
Is Doyle normally capitalized when used as slang?
Because Doyle originates from a surname, it is often capitalized even in its slang use, though informal writing sometimes lowercases it like other slang terms.
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