Meaning & use
dumb
(informal) Lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid.
See it in a sentence
Forgetting his passport at home was a pretty dumb mistake to make.
She couldn't believe she'd fallen for such a dumb prank.
A note on using this word
The older sense of 'dumb,' meaning unable to speak, is now considered outdated and potentially offensive; 'nonverbal' or 'mute' are preferred today.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
(dated, offensive) Unable to speak.
The old novel described a character who was born dumb and communicated only through gestures.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dumb”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.