dumb

[ duhm ]

adjective

, dumb·er, dumb·est.

1. lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid; dull-witted.
2. lacking the power of speech (offensive when applied to humans):

   a dumb animal.

3. temporarily unable to speak:

   dumb with astonishment.

4. refraining from any or much speech; silent.
5. made, done, etc., without speech.
6. lacking some usual property, characteristic, etc.
7. performed in pantomime; mimed.
8. Computers. pertaining to the inability to do processing locally: Compare intelligent ( def 4 ).

   A dumb terminal can input, output, and display data, but cannot process it.

9. Nautical.
   1. (of a barge) without means of propulsion.
   2. (of any craft) without means of propulsion, steering, or signaling.

verb phrase

1. Informal. to make or become less intellectual, simpler, or less sophisticated:

   to dumb down a textbook; American movies have dumbed down.

dumb

/ dʌm /

adjective

1. lacking the power to speak, either because of defects in the vocal organs or because of hereditary deafness
2. lacking the power of human speech

   dumb animals

3. temporarily lacking or bereft of the power to speak

   struck dumb

4. refraining from speech; uncommunicative
5. producing no sound; silent

   a dumb piano

6. made, done, or performed without speech
7. informal.
   1. slow to understand; dim-witted
   2. foolish; stupid See also dumb down
8. (of a projectile or bomb) not guided to its target

Sensitive Note

Dumb in the sense “lacking the power of speech” is perceived as insulting when describing humans (but not animals), probably because dumb also means “stupid; dull-witted.” The noun dummy in the sense “person who lacks the power of speech” is also perceived as insulting, as are the terms deaf-and-dumb, deaf-mute, and mute. The adjective hard of hearing is acceptable though not the term of choice, partly because it lacks directness. The preferred term is deaf, which makes no reference to an inability to speak or communicate; the capitalized word Deaf signals membership in this community.

Derived Forms

• ˈdumbness, noun
• ˈdumbly, adverb

Other Words From

• dumb·ly adverb
• dumb·ness noun
• qua·si-dumb adjective
• qua·si-dumb·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumb¹

First recorded before 1000; Old English; cognate with Old Norse dumbr, Gothic dumbs, Old Saxon dumb, Old High German tump, German dumm

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumb¹

Old English; related to Old Norse dumbr, Gothic dumbs, Old High German tump

Example Sentences

We do not know what 2025 will bring and forecasts of doom could well be punctured by the mere dismal reality of gross incompetence; the future may just be dumb.

From Salon

“Gladiator II,” the enjoyably dumb sequel to the brawny Ridley Scott epic that won the best picture Oscar nearly a quarter-century ago, has just finished its premiere screening on the Paramount Pictures lot.

From Los Angeles Times

A smart Rams culture that rarely makes dumb mistakes committed six penalties for 64 yards, including an illegal procedure by lineman Beaux Limmer that cost them a field goal.

From Los Angeles Times

I might be too dumb for that record.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a very dumb premise, but the commitment to the bit works, especially the incredibly specific details that Ralphie knows about so many animated characters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dull
• foolish