Dopey

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˈdoʊ.pi/

Definitions

• Feeling or appearing sleepy, sluggish, or dazed.
• Showing a lack of intelligence or awareness; foolish or slow-witted.

Usage Examples

• He felt dopey after taking his cold medicine.
• She gave him a dopey grin after hearing the joke.
• The movie was full of dopey humor.

Etymology

Derived from "dope," originally meaning a drug that dulls senses, and the suffix "-y," meaning characterized by. The term gained popularity in the early 20th century.

Synonyms

• Groggy
• Drowsy
• Sluggish
• Foolish
• Giddy

Antonyms

• Alert
• Energetic
• Sharp
• Intelligent

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In American English, "dopey" is pronounced with a clear long "o" sound, while some British English dialects may soften the "p" slightly.

Historical Usage

The word "dopey" gained cultural significance with the character Dopey from Disney's *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs* (1937), reinforcing its meaning of foolish or slow-witted.

Cultural Nuances

In some contexts, "dopey" is used affectionately, implying harmless foolishness, while in others, it may be used insultingly to suggest lack of intelligence.

More Information

The word remains commonly used in informal speech, especially to describe a dazed or sluggish state, often caused by medication, tiredness, or confusion.