boneheaded

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boneheaded

He made a boneheaded mistake by locking his keys in the car.

Definition

Adjective: - (informal) Extremely stupid or foolish; showing a complete lack of intelligence or common sense. This word is a strong, informal, and often humorous or derogatory term used to describe a person, action, or idea that is perceived as profoundly unintelligent.

Usage
  • Describing a person: Used to label someone as very stupid.
  • Describing an action or decision: Used to criticize a choice or behavior as foolish.
  • Tone: The word is informal and blunt. It can be insulting but is sometimes used among friends in a teasing manner. It emphasizes a stubborn, thick-skulled kind of stupidity.
Examples
  • Describing a person:
    • Don't ask him for advice; he's completely boneheaded.
    • The boneheaded driver caused a three-car pileup by going the wrong way.
  • Describing an action or idea:
    • That was a boneheaded mistake to make.
    • The company's boneheaded policy led to a massive customer boycott.
Advanced Usage
  • "boneheaded move": A very foolish action or decision.
    • Forgetting your passport was a real boneheaded move.
  • "boneheaded stubbornness": Stupidity combined with an unwillingness to listen or change.
    • His boneheaded stubbornness prevented the team from finding a better solution.
Variants and Related Words
  • Bonehead (noun): A stupid person.
    • He's such a bonehead for locking his keys in the car.
  • Bone (verb, informal): To study intensely (slang, unrelated to intelligence). This is a different usage.
    • I need to bone up on my history before the exam.
Synonyms
  • Stupid: Lacking intelligence or common sense. (More general, less vivid)
  • Thickheaded: Slow to understand; obtuse.
  • Dense: Slow to understand; of low mental acuity.
  • Dim-witted: Not intelligent; slow to learn.
  • Obtuse: Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand. (More formal)
  • Moronic: Very foolish or stupid. (Similar strength, can be more clinical)
Antonyms
  • Intelligent
  • Brilliant
  • Clever
  • Astute
  • Perceptive
Idioms and Phrases
  • Bonehead play: A very foolish mistake, especially in sports or games.
    • The quarterback's bonehead play cost his team the game.
  • Bonehead of the year award: A humorous, sarcastic title given to someone for an exceptionally stupid act.
    • Forgetting your own birthday? You win the bonehead of the year award.
boneheaded

He made a boneheaded mistake by locking his keys in the car.

Adjective
  1. (used informally) stupid