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Definition of dumbbell

dumbbell

/ˈdʌmˌbɛl/
dumb · bell
Plural:dumbbells
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dumbbell Lexical Profile

dumbbell Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A short bar with a weight at each end, used typically in pairs for physical exercise and muscle building.

Example

"She added a pair of ten-pound dumbbells to her home gym for strength training."

2

North American A stupid, foolish, or ignorant person (informal).

Example

"Don't be such a dumbbell; read the instructions before you try to assemble the desk."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

dumas
dumb
dumbass
dumbbell
dumbfound
dumbfoundedness
dumbfoundingly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in early 18th-century England from 'dumb' (meaning silent) and 'bell'; it originally referred to a contraption resembling a church bell-ringing apparatus with the bell's clapper removed, allowing people to get physical exercise by pulling the ropes without making noise.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dumbbell. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dumbbell
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