noun

nimrod

NIHM-rod

Nimrod (noun) means (American, informal) A foolish or clueless person. Example: “Stop being such a nimrod and read the instructions.”

noun

(American, informal) A foolish or clueless person.

"Stop being such a nimrod and read the instructions."

"He felt like a total nimrod after locking his keys in the car."

(dated) A skilled hunter, from the biblical figure Nimrod.

"In old hunting circles, a crack shot might be admiringly called a nimrod."

How to use nimrod

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually just means "idiot" in modern American slang, though it once meant a great hunter.

When to use it

Casual and mildly insulting rather than harsh.

Word forms

nimrods plural

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Etymology

From Nimrod, a biblical "mighty hunter." In American English the word ironically flipped to mean "idiot" — a shift widely (if not conclusively) linked to popular mockery of the term in the 20th century.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 nimrod joined the language around 1900.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “nimrod” mean?

The word “nimrod” means (American, informal) A foolish or clueless person. In plain terms, usually just means "idiot" in modern American slang, though it once meant a great hunter.

How do you pronounce “nimrod”?

“Nimrod” is pronounced NIHM-rod (/ˈnɪmrɒd/ in IPA).

How do you use “nimrod” in a sentence?

Here is “nimrod” used in a sentence: “Stop being such a nimrod and read the instructions.”

What part of speech is “nimrod”?

“Nimrod” is a noun.

Where does the word “nimrod” come from?

The word “nimrod” dates back to around 1900. From Nimrod, a biblical "mighty hunter." In American English the word ironically flipped to mean "idiot" — a shift widely (if not conclusively) linked to popular mockery of the term in the 20th century.

How many meanings does “nimrod” have?

“Nimrod” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (American, informal) A foolish or clueless person.