dumb
duhm
Dumb (adj) means Stupid or unintelligent; showing poor judgment. Example: “Forgetting my passport was a dumb mistake.”
adj
1
Stupid or unintelligent; showing poor judgment.
"Forgetting my passport was a dumb mistake."
"That's the dumbest excuse I've ever heard."
"It was dumb of me to leave the car unlocked overnight."
2
(dated, now considered offensive as applied to people) Unable to speak.
"The character was born dumb and communicated only through gestures."
3
Not equipped with intelligent or programmable features.
"He switched back to a dumb phone to cut down on screen time."
"A dumb terminal can only display what the main computer sends to it."
"My grandad prefers a dumb television without apps or an internet connection."
adv
1
(informal) Very; extremely.
"That movie was dumb long."
"He was dumb tired after the long shift at the warehouse."
"The test was dumb easy, so everyone finished early."
How to use dumb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly used today to mean "stupid" or "unwise"; the older meaning of "mute/unable to speak" is now considered outdated and potentially offensive when applied to people.
Common mistake
Calling a person "dumb" to mean they cannot speak is now considered disrespectful — use "non-verbal" or "mute" instead in that sense.
Common pairings
dumb luck
dumb question
play dumb
dumb phone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- dumbs
- Past tense
- dumbed
- Comparative
- dumber, more dumb
- Superlative
- dumbest, most dumb
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Forgetting my passport was a _____ mistake.
Etymology
From Old English dumb, "unable to speak." The modern "stupid" sense spread widely in the 19th century, likely influenced by the similar-sounding German dumm and Dutch dom, which already meant "stupid."
Class of 1800
dumb joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dumb
See all rhymes for dumb →Frequently asked questions
What does “dumb” mean?
The word “dumb” means stupid or unintelligent; showing poor judgment. In plain terms, most commonly used today to mean "stupid" or "unwise"; the older meaning of "mute/unable to speak" is now considered outdated and potentially offensive when applied to people.
How do you pronounce “dumb”?
“Dumb” is pronounced duhm (/dʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “dumb” in a sentence?
Here is “dumb” used in a sentence: “Forgetting my passport was a dumb mistake.”
What part of speech is “dumb”?
Depending on how it is used, “dumb” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “dumb” come from?
The word “dumb” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Old English. From Old English dumb, "unable to speak." The modern "stupid" sense spread widely in the 19th century, likely influenced by the similar-sounding German dumm and Dutch dom, which already meant "stupid.".
Is “dumb” a common word?
“Dumb” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “dumb” have?
“Dumb” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: stupid or unintelligent; showing poor judgment.
What is the difference between dumb and stupid?
They overlap heavily, both meaning a lack of intelligence or sense. 'Stupid' is the broader and slightly stronger word. 'Dumb' is more casual and often lighter, frequently used for a silly idea or mistake rather than a person — 'a dumb joke,' 'a dumb question.' In informal speech, the two are largely interchangeable.
Is dumb an offensive word?
It can be. Used of an idea or action, as in 'a dumb mistake,' it is mild and informal. Aimed directly at a person, it becomes an insult. Its older meaning, 'unable to speak,' is now considered outdated and offensive, so 'dumb' should never describe someone who cannot talk; 'non-speaking' is preferred.
Is dumb formal or informal?
'Dumb' is informal. It suits casual conversation, texting, and light complaints, such as 'that's a dumb rule,' but is out of place in formal writing, reports, or polite discussion. In those settings, neutral words like 'unwise,' 'ill-judged,' or 'mistaken' carry the same meaning without sounding blunt or rude.
What is the opposite of dumb?
For the 'unintelligent' sense, the opposites are 'smart,' 'clever,' 'intelligent,' 'bright,' and 'wise.' Which one fits depends on the target: a 'clever' idea, a 'smart' decision, or a 'wise' choice. Note that this is the opposite of the informal insult, not of the older 'unable to speak' meaning.
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