Meaning & use
dingbats
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Meanings
nounplural
A type of visual puzzle in which a word or phrase is represented by the arrangement, size, or style of letters and symbols.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; a single puzzle is called a 'dingbat'.
Patterns
- play dingbats
- solve a dingbat
The newspaper's puzzle page includes crosswords, sudoku, and dingbats.
She solved the dingbat quickly because she recognized the hidden phrase.
nouncountabletechnical
A typographic symbol or ornament, such as a star, arrow, or decorative shape, used in printing or design.
Grammar: Countable; the plural is 'dingbats'. Often used in the plural to refer to a set of such symbols.
Patterns
- a set of dingbats
- use dingbats in a design
The designer used dingbats to separate sections of the menu.
This font contains letters, numbers, and various dingbats.
nouncountableinformaldisapproving
A foolish or eccentric person (often used humorously or disapprovingly).
Grammar: Countable; usually singular in this sense, but plural 'dingbats' is also possible.
Patterns
- a real dingbat
- act like a dingbat
He's a bit of a dingbat, but everyone likes him.
Don't be a dingbat—read the instructions first.
Word forms
| singular | dingbat |
|---|
Common combinations
- play dingbats
- We played dingbats on the train to pass the time.
- solve a dingbat
- It took me ten minutes to solve that dingbat.
- a set of dingbats
- The software includes a set of dingbats for adding decorative elements.
- dingbat font
- Use a dingbat font if you want symbols instead of letters.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rebus
- A rebus is a puzzle that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words, while a dingbat uses letters and symbols in unusual arrangements.
- ornament
- In typography, an ornament is a decorative element; a dingbat is a specific type of ornamental symbol or font character.
- fool
- Fool is a more general and often stronger insult for a stupid person; dingbat is milder and often humorous.
Word family
- dingbat noun
- Singular form; can refer to one puzzle, one symbol, or one foolish person.
Commonly confused: dingbats or dinghy?
dingbats vs dinghy
A dinghy is a small boat; dingbat is a puzzle, symbol, or foolish person.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'dingbats' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In sentence B, 'dingbats' refers to a type of puzzle, which is a common use. Sentence A confuses 'dingbats' with 'dinghies' (small boats). Sentence C uses 'dingbats' as a verb, which is not standard. Sentence D uses 'dingbats' as a singular countable noun for a physical object, which is incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dingbats”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.