Dictionary Entry: Idiotic

Idiotic

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˌɪdiˈɒtɪk/ (UK), /ˌɪdiˈɑːtɪk/ (US)

Definitions

  • Marked by or resulting from utter lack of sense or intelligence; senseless.
  • Foolish or stupid in an obvious way.

Usage Examples

  • It was idiotic to forget your passport before an international flight.
  • He made an idiotic remark during the meeting.

Etymology

Derived from the word "idiot" + suffix "-ic", dating from the early 19th century. Rooted in Greek *idiōtēs* meaning 'private person, unskilled', through Latin and Old French.

Synonyms

  • Foolish
  • Stupid
  • Senseless
  • Irrational

Antonyms

  • Intelligent
  • Logical
  • Reasonable

Translations

LanguageTranslationPronunciation
Spanishidiota/iˈdjota/
Frenchidiotique/idjɔtik/
Germanidiotisch/ɪˈdioːtɪʃ/
Russianидиотский/idʲɪˈotskʲij/
Hindiमूर्खतापूर्ण/mūrkhatāpūrṇ/
Bengaliবোকামি/bokami/
Tamilமுட்டாள்தனமான/muṭṭāltanamāṉa/
Teluguమూర్ఖమైన/mūrkhamaina/
Marathiमूर्खपणाचे/mūrkhapaṇāce/
Gujaratiમૂર્ખતાપૂર્વક/mūrkhatāpūrvak/
Kannadaಮೂರ್ಖತನದ/mūrkhatanada/
Malayalamമൂഢമായ/mūḍhamāya/
Punjabiਮੂਰਖਤਾ ਭਰੀ/mūrkhatā bharī/
Odiaମୂର୍ଖତାପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ/mūrkhatāpūrṇa/
Urduاحمقانہ/ahmaqāna/
Japanese馬鹿げた/bakageta/
Chinese愚蠢的/yúchǔn de/
Korean바보 같은/babo gateun/
Arabicأحمق/ʾaḥmaq/
Italianidiotico/idjoˈtiko/

Regional Pronunciation Variations

  • UK: /ˌɪdiˈɒtɪk/
  • US: /ˌɪdiˈɑːtɪk/

Historical Usage

First used in the 1800s, "idiotic" evolved from medical terminology to colloquial insult. Early usage referred to mental deficiency but has since broadened to denote foolish behavior in general.

Cultural Nuances

Though common in informal speech, "idiotic" may be considered offensive in formal contexts. It is often used for hyperbolic effect in expressing frustration or disdain.

More Information

The adjective "idiotic" derives from a period in history where clinical language and colloquial insults often overlapped. Today, it reflects a tone more than a diagnosis, typically used to describe irrational or absurd actions rather than people. However, increased sensitivity around mental health has led to careful avoidance of such terms in respectful conversation. It remains prevalent in entertainment and satire for exaggerative impact.

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