51Թ

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View synonyms for

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: , , , , ,

  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

/ ˈɪɪə /

noun

  1. a person with severe mental retardation
  2. a foolish or senseless person
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ··dz· [id-ee-, ot, -ik], adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of idiot1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin 徱ōٲ, from Greek 徱ṓtŧ “private person, layman, person lacking skill or expertise,” equivalent to 徱ō- (lengthened variant of idio- idio-, perhaps by analogy with ٰپōŧ “professional soldier,” derivative of ٰپá “army”) + agent noun suffix
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of idiot1

C13: from Latin 徱ōٲ ignorant person, from Greek 徱ōŧ private person, one who lacks professional knowledge, ignoramus; see idio-
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Such efforts often have made even the savviest investors and best-credentialed experts look like idiots.

From

Amid the boos and whistles you can hear a shout of "idiots".

From

According to her claims, he referred to her as his "property" and subjected her to verbal abuse, calling her an "idiot," among other names.

From

Meanwhile, people who texted their relatives “Can you believe this idiot?” are being detained and/or denied entry.

From

“Millions are to be grabbed out here,” Herman J. Mankiewicz wrote Ben Hecht in 1926, “and your only competition is idiots.”

From

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