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
1
(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."
2
(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 notesIn 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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nimrods
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Stop being such a _____ and read the instructions.
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.
Class of 1900
nimrod joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
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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.
