Dumb down Meaning in English
expression
ˈdəm/ /ˈdaʊn
DUHM DOWN
dˈʌm/ /dˈaʊn
DUM DOWN
Definition
To make something simpler or easier to understand, often by removing important or complex information.
Usage & Nuances
Informal; often used critically to suggest something has lost depth. Common with media, education, and explanations ('dumb down the curriculum'). Not the same as 'simplify' (which lacks negative connotation).
Spanish: simplificar demasiado - rebajar el nivel intelectualPortuguese (BR): simplificar demais - tornar algo mais superficialPortuguese (PT): simplificar em demasia - tornar algo menos complexoChinese (Simplified): 简化到过于浅显 - 降低难度Chinese (Traditional): 簡化到過於淺顯 - 降低難度Hindi: बहुत ही आसान बनाना - स्तर घटानाArabic: تبسيط بشكل مفرط - تقليل المستوى الفكريBengali: সহজ করা (গভীরতা হ্রাস করে) - কম জটিল করা (গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশ বাদ দিয়ে)Russian: упростить (слишком сильно) - огрублять (информацию)Japanese: わかりやすくしすぎる - 簡略化する（重要な点を省いて）Vietnamese: làm đơn giản hóa quá mức - làm cho đơn giản hóa (bằng cách bỏ qua phần quan trọng)Korean: 지나치게 쉽게 만들다 - 단순화하다(중요한 내용을 빼고)Turkish: fazla basitleştirmek - içeriği sığlaştırmakUrdu: بہت سادہ بنا دینا (اہم معلومات نکال کر)Indonesian: menyederhanakan secara berlebihan - membuat terlalu sederhana
Example Sentences
They dumbed down the exam to make it easier for everyone.
basic
Sometimes movies are dumbed down for younger audiences.
basic
The news channel was criticized for dumbing down its reports.
basic
Can you not dumb down your answer? I want the real details.
natural
The publisher wants to dumb down the book so it'll sell more copies.
natural
If schools dumb down their lessons, students might miss out on important knowledge.
natural