dumb
word
/ˈdəm/
duhm
/dˈʌm/
duhm
Definition
Describes someone or something as not intelligent or as a bad idea. It can also mean unable to speak, but that meaning is older and less common in everyday English.
Usage & Nuances
Often sounds rude when used about a person, so be careful. Very common in phrases like 'a dumb mistake' or 'that was dumb'. For the older meaning 'unable to speak', learners should know it, but words like 'mute' are more neutral and appropriate in modern use.
Spanish: tonto - mudo (sin habla)Portuguese (BR): burro - mudoPortuguese (PT): parvo - mudoChinese (Simplified): 笨的 - 哑的Chinese (Traditional): 笨的 - 啞的Hindi: बेवकूफ़ - गूंगाArabic: غبي - أبكمBengali: বোকা - নির্বোধ - মূকRussian: глупый - тупой - немойJapanese: ばか（な） - 愚かな - 口がきけない（古い意味）Vietnamese: ngớ ngẩn - ngu ngốc - câm (ít dùng, nghĩa cũ)Korean: 멍청한 - 바보 같은 - 말을 못하는 (옛 의미)Turkish: aptal - salak - dilsiz (eski anlam)Urdu: بیوقوف - بے عقل - گونگا (پرانا مطلب)Indonesian: bodoh - tolol - bisu (arti lama)
Example Sentences
That was a dumb mistake.
basic
He asked a dumb question in class.
basic
In old books, dumb can mean unable to speak.
basic
I can't believe I made such a dumb decision.
natural
Don't do anything dumb while I'm gone.
natural
Okay, this may sound dumb, but I don't know how this works.
natural