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id·i·ot
 idiot
- pronunciation:
- I
di
iht
- features:
- Word History
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a stupid person; imbecile; fool.
- synonyms:
- blockhead, boob, dimwit, dolt, dummy, half-wit, imbecile, moron, nitwit, numskull
- antonyms:
- genius
- similar words:
- ass, cretin, dope, dullard, dunce, fool, ignoramus, oaf, simpleton
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| definition 2: |
a person who is profoundly subnormal in intellectual development as a result of a birth defect, early illness, or severe injury.
- synonyms:
- cretin
- similar words:
- half-wit, moron
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| related words: |
clod, dolt |
Idiot comes from an ancient Greek word that means "private person" or "peculiar person." The word was used for someone who did not hold public office and was not educated. For the Greeks, to call someone a private person was an insult.
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