Search Dictionary
Definition of idiot

idiot

/ˈɪd.i.ət/
id · i · ot
Adverb:idiotically
•
Plural:idiots
•
Adjective:idiotic
JUMP TO:

idiot Lexical Profile

idiot Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A foolish, senseless, or utterly unwise person who acts without good judgment (used informally as an insult).

Example

"I felt like a complete idiot when I realized I had locked my keys inside the car."

2

An archaic and offensive clinical term formerly used in medicine and psychology for a person with profound intellectual disability.

Example

"Nineteenth-century medical textbooks categorized patients using diagnostic labels like idiot and imbecile that have long been abandoned by modern psychiatry."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for idiot
Antonyms
View all antonyms for idiot

Word Nuance & Usage

While extremely common as an informal insult for a foolish or careless person, its former clinical use in psychology and medicine to classify profound intellectual disability is entirely obsolete and considered offensive.

• Rhymes for idiot

• Nearby Words

idiom
idiomatic
idiomatically
idiot
idiotic
idiotically
idiotproof

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed via Old French from Latin 'idiota' (an uneducated or ignorant person), ultimately from Ancient Greek 'idiotes' (a private citizen, layperson, or someone lacking professional skill), derived from 'idios' meaning 'one's own' or 'private'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Idiot. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/idiot
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.