fatuous

[ fach-oo-uhs ]

adjective

1. foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly; witless.

   Synonyms: dull-witted, dull, dense, dim, brainless

2. Archaic. unreal; illusory.

fatuous

/ ˈfætjʊəs /

adjective

1. complacently or inanely foolish

Derived Forms

• ˈfatuously, adverb
• ˈfatuousness, noun

Other Words From

• fat·u·ous·ly adverb
• fat·u·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatuous¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin fatuus “silly, foolish, idiotic”; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatuous¹

C17: from Latin fatuus ; related to fatiscere to gape

Example Sentences

Wade' until he belatedly realized it wasn't popular, at which point he came up with his fatuous rationale that "everyone wanted it to go back to the states."

From Salon

And he has persuaded the official Republican Party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to parrot his fatuous disclaimer that he will accept it if it's "free and fair."

From Salon

According to “Live From New York,” Chase appeared as a “fatuous anchorman” in screen tests weeks before the premiere.

From Los Angeles Times

As for Vance’s fatuous claim that Trump “worked in a bipartisan way to ensure that Americans had access to affordable care,” you have the right to ask what Vance has been smoking.

From Los Angeles Times

Gore we had a strict partisan decision with fatuous reasoning that even they realized should not ever be used in any other case.

From Salon