Dunce Meaning in English
word
Definition
A dunce is someone who is considered very slow to learn or not intelligent, especially in a school setting; it is an old-fashioned insult.
Usage & Nuances
Primarily used as an old-fashioned or literary insult; rarely used seriously today. Historically, students called 'dunce' might wear a 'dunce cap' as punishment. Avoid using in modern conversation to prevent offending.
Spanish: burro (insulto escolar) - tontoPortuguese (BR): burro (insulto escolar) - ignorante (ofensivo)Portuguese (PT): burro (insulto escolar) - ignorante (ofensivo)Chinese (Simplified): 笨蛋（尤指学习差的学生）Chinese (Traditional): 笨蛋（尤指學習差的學生）Hindi: मूर्ख (स्कूल में इस्तेमाल होने वाला अपमान)Arabic: غبي (إهانة مدرسية) - بليدBengali: মূর্খ - বোকার হদিসRussian: тугодум - неучJapanese: 劣等生 - のろまVietnamese: đứa ngốc - kẻ chậm hiểuKorean: 바보 - 얼간이 (학교에서)Turkish: aptal - ahmak (okul bağlamında)Urdu: بیوقوف - نالائق (اسکول میں)Indonesian: si bodoh - siswa lamban (di sekolah)
Example Sentences
The teacher called Tom a dunce when he got the answer wrong.
basic
He wore the dunce cap and sat in the corner.
basic
Nobody wanted to be called a dunce in class.
basic
Back in the day, if you messed up, you’d get the dunce cap as a joke.
natural
He’s no dunce—he just learns differently from others.
natural
Don’t be such a dunce, the answer is right in front of you!
natural