idiot

[ id-ee-uht ]

noun

1. Informal. an utterly foolish or senseless person:

   If you think you can wear that outfit to a job interview and get hired, you're an idiot!

   Synonyms: numbskull, dunce, dolt, imbecile, half-wit, fool

2. Psychology. (no longer in technical use; considered offensive) a person of the lowest order in a former and discarded classification of intellectual disability, having a mental age of less than three years old and an intelligence quotient under 25.

idiot

/ ˈɪdɪət /

noun

1. a person with severe mental retardation
2. a foolish or senseless person

Other Words From

• id·i·ot·ic [id-ee-, ot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiot¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin idiōta, from Greek idiṓtēs “private person, layman, person lacking skill or expertise,” equivalent to idiō- (lengthened variant of idio- idio-, perhaps by analogy with stratiōtēs “professional soldier,” derivative of stratiá “army”) + -tēs agent noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiot¹

C13: from Latin idiōta ignorant person, from Greek idiōtēs private person, one who lacks professional knowledge, ignoramus; see idio-

Example Sentences

If he says he’d much rather see you having sex with your ex, he’s an idiot.

From Ozy

The only way you become not an idiot is learning why you were an idiot.

From Washington Post

I mean, when I hear the word “Dad,” what that means is, I’m an idiot.

From Ozy

He’s our unquestioned leader and, you know, we’re not idiots.

From Washington Post

So I wanted them to see a more human aspect of me, and not just that I’m some idiot doing things that they don’t agree with.

From Washington Post

By Monday evening, it had been leaked to the blogger The Two-Bit Idiot, who published it on the Web.

From The Daily Beast

Over the next few months Davy Rothbart will be touring around America to promote his new book, My Heart Is an Idiot.

From The Daily Beast

My Heart Is an Idiot: Essays By Davy Rothbart A young essayist is often a victim of his own open heart.

From The Daily Beast

In honor of ‘Our Idiot Brother,’ opening Friday, watch 11 dumbest movie brothers, from Fredo to Bart Simpson.

From The Daily Beast

(“Ooh, she looks so cute,” whispered one upon sighting Zooey Deschanel, who also stars in My Idiot Brother).

From The Daily Beast

“There are plenty of others, and the way they refute one another is to me a constant source of delight,” said the Idiot.

From Project Gutenberg

“I think I can spot the sender,” said the Idiot, fixing his eyes sternly upon the Poet.

From Project Gutenberg

“On the modern business principle that to accomplish anything you must work on a large scale,” said the Idiot.

From Project Gutenberg

“To make the appeal stronger, let me take the month of July, which is now on,” resumed the Idiot.

From Project Gutenberg

I guess he was a cousin of yours, all right,” laughed the Doctor; “that scheme bears the Idiot brand.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fool
• moron
• nitwit
• twit