dunderhead

/'dʌndəhed/

Thân thiện

A student looks confused while the teacher calls him a dunderhead.

Definition

Noun: - A stupid or foolish person; a term used to express contempt for someone's lack of intelligence or common sense.

Usage

The word "dunderhead" is a somewhat old-fashioned, informal noun used as a direct and often humorous insult to describe a person perceived as very foolish or slow-witted. It is typically used in a critical or exasperated manner.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• As a term of endearment: In very specific, often familial or close-knit contexts, it can be used affectionately to tease someone for a minor foolish act, though this is less common.
  • Oh, you dunderhead, you put the milk in the cupboard again!

Variants and Related Words

• Dunderheaded (adjective): Characterized by stupidity or foolishness.
  • That was a dunderheaded mistake to make.

Synonyms

• Fool
• Idiot
• Blockhead
• Nincompoop
• Simpleton
• Dunce

Idioms

While "dunderhead" itself is not typically part of a larger idiom, it functions similarly to other insulting nouns for foolish people in expressions like: - To be a complete dunderhead: To act in a thoroughly foolish manner. - He was a complete dunderhead to think that plan would work.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a stupid person; these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence