thick-witted

A thick-witted character struggles to solve a simple puzzle.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slow or dull in understanding: "thick-witted" describes a person who is not quick to comprehend or learn; someone who is mentally slow or obtuse.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Despite several explanations, the thick-witted student still could not grasp the basic concept. (The student was slow to understand.)
  • The villain in the story was portrayed as thick-witted, easily tricked by the hero's clever plans. (The villain was dull and not intelligent.)

Advanced Usage

• "thick-wittedness" (noun, rare): the state or quality of being thick-witted.
  • His thick-wittedness frustrated the teacher, who had to repeat the lesson multiple times. (His slowness in understanding caused frustration.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thick-skulled (adj): having a thick skull; figuratively, slow to understand.
  • He is so thick-skulled that he never learns from his mistakes. (He is very stubborn or slow-witted.)
• Thickheaded (adj): synonym for thick-witted; dull or stupid.
  • The thickheaded employee kept making the same error. (The employee was slow to learn.)

Synonyms

• Dull: slow in understanding or learning.
• Obtuse: annoyingly slow to perceive or understand.
• Stupid: lacking intelligence or common sense.
• Slow-witted: having a slow mind; not quick to think.

Related Idioms

• Thick as a brick: very stupid or unintelligent.
  • Don't expect him to solve the puzzle; he's thick as a brick. (He is extremely dull.)
• Not the brightest bulb in the box: not very intelligent.
  • She's not the brightest bulb in the box, but she is kind. (She is not very smart.)