cretin

American  

[kreet-in, kret-in] / ˈkrit ɪn, ˈkrɛt ɪn /

noun

1. (no longer in technical use) a person with cretinism.

2. Informal. a very stupid or contemptible person.

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cretin British  

/ ˈkrɛtɪn /

noun

1. old-fashioned a person afflicted with cretinism

2. offensive a person considered to be extremely stupid

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Other Word Forms

• cretinoid adjective
• cretinous adjective
• semicretin noun

Etymology

Origin of cretin

First recorded in 1770–80; from French crétin, originally from French Alpine dialect creitin, crestin “deformed and mentally defective dwarf” (owing to iodine deficiency in Alpine regions); further origin uncertain; perhaps from Vulgar Latin Christiānus “a Christian, human being, unfortunate person,” from Latin Christiānus Christian

Example Sentences

"Why do you sacrifice your dignity for this cretin?"

From Salon • Jun. 12, 2023

Mr. McNally originally tore into Mr. Corden, calling the comedian a “tiny cretin of a man” for two separate incidents where he was cantankerous with the wait staff.

From Washington Times • Oct. 18, 2022

Jon Gruden is sports’ latest cretin in our midst.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2021

Instead, she shrugs it off, usually with a clever quip that makes her attacker look like an impotent cretin.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2018

Some cretin psychoanalyst would attempt to comprehend the singularity of his worldview.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole