idiocy

[ id-ee-uh-see ]

noun

, plural id·i·o·cies.

1. utterly senseless or foolish behavior; a stupid or foolish act, statement, etc.:

   All this talk of zombies coming to attack us is pure idiocy.

   Synonyms: foolishness, folly, inanity

2. Psychology. (no longer in technical use; considered offensive) an intellectual disability, previously classified in a now obsolete rubric of developmental disorders as having a mental age of less than three years old and an intelligence quotient under 25.

idiocy

/ ˈɪdɪəsɪ /

noun

1. not in technical usage severe mental retardation
2. foolishness or senselessness; stupidity
3. a foolish act or remark

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiocy¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin idiotia “imbecility,” from Hellenistic Greek idiōteía “uncouthness, ignorance,” Greek “state of being a private person”; idiot, -cy

Example Sentences

They were supposed to still be furious at how the Padres had showboated their way to a Game 2 victory that incited Dodger Stadium fans into idiocy, right?

From Los Angeles Times

This wasn’t the only direct jab at right-wing idiocy in the presidential election, although John Leguizamo introducing himself as “one of Hollywood’s DEI hires” put a little more heat on the serve, adding, “The D is for diligence, the E is for excellence, the I is for imagination.”

From Salon

I was not sure if this was due to awe, fear, or basic idiocy.

From Literature

I can imagine a contemporary leader with a similarly weathered but undaunted confidence in our institutions and our ideas, a leader with an acute awareness of our own national identity — the nation of the future; the beacon of democracy; the nation that, with its unbounded dynamism and immigrant drive, manages to overcome the recurring tumult caused by its own idiocy and iniquity, and in the end energizes the world.

From Seattle Times

Politically, "it's pure idiocy", Mr Rosenberg said.

From BBC

Related Words

• insanity
• lunacy
• madness