Meaning & use
dumb
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving
Showing poor judgment or little intelligence; foolish.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a verb; can be rude when aimed at a person.
Patterns
- a dumb idea
- dumb enough to do something
That was a dumb mistake.
I felt dumb for forgetting her name.
It would be dumb to ignore the warning.
adjectivecomparableoffensiveold-fashioned
Unable to speak; this use is outdated and can offend people.
Grammar: Avoid for people; prefer 'non-speaking' or 'mute'.
The word dumb for someone who cannot speak is now considered offensive; avoid using it.
adjectiveafter a verbliterary
Silent, or not speaking for a moment, from shock or strong emotion.
Grammar: Used after verbs like struck, as in struck dumb.
Patterns
- struck dumb
She stood dumb with surprise.
Word forms
| comparative | dumber |
|---|---|
| superlative | dumbest |
Common combinations
- dumb question
- There's no such thing as a dumb question.
- dumb luck
- We won by dumb luck.
- dumb mistake
- I made a dumb mistake on the form.
- struck dumb
- He was struck dumb by the news.
Synonyms and how they differ
- foolish
- Foolish is milder and more formal, describing unwise choices.
- silly
- Silly is lighter and playful.
- unwise
- Unwise is neutral and polite, and never describes a person's intelligence.
- stupid
- Stupid is stronger and more insulting.
Opposites
Word family
- dumbly adverb
- silently or foolishly
- dumbness noun
- foolishness or silence
- dumbfounded adjective
- too shocked to speak
Commonly confused: dumb or mute?
dumb vs mute
Mute is the neutral modern word for someone who does not speak; dumb is offensive in that sense.
Practice
Which is the best, least offensive choice for a bad plan?
Choose one answer.
Unwise criticizes the plan politely. Dumb is rude when aimed at people, and 'dumbest' is wrongly formed here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dumb”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.