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id·i·ot
 idiot
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- pronunciation:
- I
di
iht
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun), Word History, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a stupid person; imbecile; fool.
I was such an idiot to forget to bring the tickets!- 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: |
(outdated; no longer in scientific use) a person who is profoundly subnormal in intellectual development as a result of a birth defect, early illness, or severe injury.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 |
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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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