retarded
retarded Lexical Profile
retarded Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Very foolish, absurd, or illogical (derogatory slang).
"He was reprimanded for using a derogatory slang word to call the new policy retarded."
Less advanced in mental, physical, or social development than is usual for one's age (formerly a clinical term, now dated and offensive).
"Older medical textbooks often used the term 'mentally retarded' before modern diagnostic standards adopted 'intellectually disabled'."
Slowed down, impeded, or delayed in progress, development, or physical movement (used in formal, technical, or scientific contexts).
"The seedlings showed retarded growth due to the prolonged lack of sunlight and nutrients."
• verb
To delay or hold back in terms of progress, development, or accomplishment (past tense and past participle of 'retard').
"The sudden drop in temperature retarded the chemical reaction in the laboratory experiment."
Word Nuance & Usage
While still valid in formal scientific and technical contexts to mean 'slowed down' or 'delayed', the use of 'retarded' to refer to people with intellectual disabilities is dated and widely considered offensive; clinical and respectful contexts now use 'intellectually disabled'. Its slang use to mean 'foolish' is strongly derogatory.
• Rhymes for retarded
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the verb 'retard', borrowed in the late 15th century from French 'retarder' or directly from Latin 'retardare' ('to make slow, delay'), from 're-' ('back') and 'tardus' ('slow').