dunce
Dunce (noun) means someone regarded as slow-witted or foolish, especially at learning. Example: “He felt like a dunce when he couldn't answer the simplest question.”
How to use dunce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mildly old-fashioned, somewhat insulting word for someone who seems dim or bad at schoolwork.
It's associated with the "dunce cap" image from old classrooms, so it often carries a slightly comic, storybook feel rather than a harsh modern insult.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
dunces plural
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He felt like a _____ when he couldn't answer the simplest question.
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."
Related words
Rhymes for dunce
See all rhymes for 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.