Idiot — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈi-dē-ət/ id·i·ot

Meaning & Definition of Idiot

Idiot (noun)

  1. a foolish or stupid person
  2. a person affected with extreme intellectual disability

Idiot (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a stupid person

    "only an idiot would invest in a company just because a casual acquaintance recommended it"

    similar: airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll, clot (British), cluck, clunk, cretin, cuddy (British dialect), deadhead, dim bulb (slang), dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, doofus (slang), dope, dork (slang), dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, dunce, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain, loggerhead (chiefly dialect), loon, lump, lunkhead, meathead, mome (archaic), moron, mug (chiefly British), mutt, nimrod (slang), nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit (chiefly British), nitwit, noddy, noodle, numskull, oaf, pinhead, prat (British), ratbag (chiefly Australian), saphead, schlub (slang), schnook (slang), simpleton, stock, stupe, stupid, thickhead, turkey, woodenhead, yahoo, yo-yo, dumb cluck
    related: booby, buffoon, fool, goose, loony, madman, nut, zany, loser, gawk, featherbrain, scatterbrain, beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cur, heel, jerk, skunk, snake, stinker, villain
    opposite: brain, genius
    near: intellect, intellectual, sage, thinker, whiz, wizard, polymath, Renaissance man, sharpie

Related Entry: Idiot box (noun)

Idiot box is a different word from Idiot. The synonyms below are for idiot box, not for idiot.

  1. an electronic device with a screen and speakers that reproduces images and sound

    "she declared that she wouldn't have an idiot box in her home"

    similar: boob tube, box, television, telly (chiefly British), tube, TV
    related: LCD, plasma, home theater, home video

Related Entry: Idiot boxes (noun)

Idiot boxes is a different word from Idiot. The synonyms below are for idiot boxes, not for idiot.

  1. an electronic device with a screen and speakers that reproduces images and sound

    "she declared that she wouldn't have an idiot box in her home"

    similar: boob tubes, boxes, televisions, tellies (chiefly British), tubes, TVs
    related: LCDs, plasmas, home theaters, home videos

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Idiot

The most common words with a similar meaning to Idiot:

Slang: dim bulb, doofus, dork, nimrod, schlub, schnook
British: clot, prat
Chiefly British: mug, nit
British dialect: cuddy
Chiefly dialect: loggerhead
Archaic: mome
airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll, cluck, clunk, cretin, deadhead, dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, dope, dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, dunce, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Idiot

Words with the opposite meaning of Idiot:

brain, genius

Related Words for Idiot

booby, buffoon, fool, goose, loony, madman, nut, zany, loser, gawk, featherbrain, scatterbrain, beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cur, heel, jerk, skunk, snake, stinker, villain

Near Antonyms of Idiot

intellect, intellectual, sage, thinker, whiz, wizard, polymath, Renaissance man, sharpie

Word Forms of Idiot

Inflections: idiots

Derived words: idiot (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Idiot

Middle English, from Anglo-French ydiote, from Latin idiota ignorant person, from Greek idiōtēs one in a private station, layman, ignorant person, from idios one's own, private; akin to Latin suus one's own suicide

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Idiot

Words & Phrases Containing Idiot

idiot box, idiot light, idiot savant, useful idiot

Frequently Asked Questions about Idiot

What does "Idiot" mean?

"Idiot" means a foolish or stupid person. As a noun, it is defined as: a foolish or stupid person.

What is another word for "Idiot"?

Other words for "Idiot" include airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead and clodpoll. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Idiot" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Idiot"?

There are 105 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Idiot". Common alternatives include airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll, clot and cluck.

What is a slang word for "Idiot"?

Slang words for "Idiot" include dim bulb, doofus, dork, nimrod, schlub and schnook.

What is the opposite of "Idiot"?

Antonyms of "Idiot" include brain and genius. Near antonyms include intellect, intellectual, sage and thinker.

How do you use "Idiot" in a sentence?

Examples of "Idiot" in a sentence: "only an idiot would invest in a company just because a casual acquaintance recommended it".

Is "Idiot" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Idiot" is a noun.

Is "Idiot" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Idiot" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.