brainless

[ breyn-lis ]

adjective

1. mentally weak; foolish; witless; stupid.

brainless

/ ˈbreɪnlɪs /

adjective

1. stupid or foolish

Derived Forms

• ˈbrainlessness, noun
• ˈbrainlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• brainless·ly adverb
• brainless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brainless¹

First recorded in 1400–50, brainless is from the late Middle English word braynles. See brain, -less

Example Sentences

The dialogue was more dignified: no brainless chatter or mawkish introductions.

From New York Times

“That brainless brother of yours will welcome any reason to miss these last weeks of mouse school. He’d sooner drown than finish the semester.”

From Literature

But the most impressive is first-time writer-director Molly Manning Walker getting us not just to forgive her central triad their brash and brainless bravado, but to grieve for it when it’s gone.

From Los Angeles Times

In the spirit of Williams’ opening 2024 with bracingly unfiltered admissions, I hope this “reckoning” of his wakes up those who have been coasting on brainless cruelty without placing much effort into innovation.

From Salon

But most echinoderms -- a group of some 7,000 species that includes brittle stars and similarly brainless starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers -- have not been tested.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• dumb
• mindless