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Definition of nincompoop

nincompoop

/ˈnɪŋ.kəm.puːp/
nin · com · poop
Plural:nincompoops
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nincompoop Lexical Profile

nincompoop Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A foolish, silly, or inept person; a simpleton.

Example

"The comedic play features a bumbling nincompoop who accidentally foils the villain's grand scheme."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

nimbus
nimbyism
nimrod
nincompoop
nine
nine-banded armadillo
ninefold

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 17th century as "nicompoop," its exact origin is uncertain; despite a popular folk etymology linking it to the Latin legal phrase non compos mentis ("not of sound mind"), it may instead derive from the given name Nicholas or Nicodemus combined with an obsolete word for a fool.

Cite this Entry

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