noun
idiocy
IH-dee-uh-see
Idiocy (noun) means Extremely foolish behavior or thinking; a stupid act. Example: “Driving home after ten drinks was pure idiocy.”
noun
1
Extremely foolish behavior or thinking; a stupid act.
"Driving home after ten drinks was pure idiocy."
"The plan collapsed under the weight of its own idiocy."
How to use idiocy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBehavior or a decision so foolish it's hard to believe.
When to use it
Blunt and somewhat harsh — fine informally, but avoid it in professional or clinical contexts.
Common pairings
sheer idiocy
an act of idiocy
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Word forms
- Plural
- idiocies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Driving home after ten drinks was pure _____.
Etymology
From French idiotie, from Old French idiot.
Synonyms
View more →
amentia
idiocity
idiotacy
idiotcy
idioticalness
idiotery
idioticity
idioticness
idioticy
idiotism
idiotness
idiotry
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “idiocy” mean?
The word “idiocy” means extremely foolish behavior or thinking; a stupid act. In plain terms, behavior or a decision so foolish it's hard to believe.
How do you pronounce “idiocy”?
“Idiocy” is pronounced IH-dee-uh-see ([ˈɪɾiəsi] in IPA).
How do you use “idiocy” in a sentence?
Here is “idiocy” used in a sentence: “Driving home after ten drinks was pure idiocy.”
What is another word for “idiocy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “idiocy” include idiocity, idiotacy, idiotcy, idioticalness, idiotery and idioticity.
What part of speech is “idiocy”?
“Idiocy” is a noun.
Where does the word “idiocy” come from?
The word “idiocy” comes from Old French. From French idiotie, from Old French idiot.
