halfwit en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈhæf.wɪt/
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈhɑːf.wɪt/ trap–bath split
Etymology
Etymology tree Middle English half English half Proto-Indo-European *weyd- Proto-Indo-European *wóyde Proto-Germanic *witaną Proto-Germanic *witją Proto-West Germanic *witi Old English witt Middle English wit English wit English halfwit From half + wit. First attested in 1607.
Meanings
-
(informal) Someone lacking in intelligence.
It has been pointed out in this space before that a number of the titles you'll find shelved under self-help in your local bookshop are, on closer examination, farragos of wooden-headed tripe, written by mountebanks and halfwits.
2007 June 15, Oliver Burkeman, “The rise of the anti-self-help movement”, in The Guardian:“Doesn't matter. That man is not the leader.” “But he is the main guy on the show.” “He is an actor, Nandor. A simpleton who paints his face. He is an empty-headed puppet who thinks the world loves him, when in actual fact, he is nothing more than a lapdog begging for scraps.” [groans] “No, he is not the leader. That would be another devil who pulls the strings. The halfwit they call the director.”
2024 November 25, Max Brockman, “P.I. Undercover: New York” (11:26 from the start), in What We Do in the Shadows, season 6, episode 8, spoken by Laszlo Cravensworth (Matt Berry):
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| half-wit | alternative | lexicographic | |
| halfwits | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Relateds
Synonyms
jerk · log · peagoose · lamebrain · thickskull · goober · drivel · saphead · dumble · snapperhead · cretin · bozo · featherbrain · dimwit · fuck-knuckle · tard · ha'porth · tomfool · doodle · dipshit · silly · smooth brain · doof · clot · Alternative spelling of dumbass. · dumbshit · space cadet · gomer · turkey · dumbfuck · prat · hammerhead · shitbrain · boob · maroon · shitwit · inbred · put · yo-yo · chowderhead · gimboid · stupid-head · jughead · baboon · fuckwit · clod · buffoon · eejit · shitneck · asstard · dumb cluck · donkey dick · fleabrain · asshat · peabrain · mongtard · goose · lunkhead · plank · dummkopf · berk · monkey · dullard · pigwidgeon · dumbling · assclown · fool · dumbbell · dolt · dildo · dimbo · dim bulb · lackwit · wantwit · doofus · chucklehead · noodlehead · dumbfucker · lunk · blockhead · loggerhead · dunderpate · donut · ninny · mongoloid · goof · goosecap · blubberbrain · wally · jellybrain · muggins · tosspot · dunce · wazzock · nincompoop · brickhead · stupid · moron · sap · mome · mouth breather · bimbo · numbskull · muttonhead · knothead · goon · wazzer · plonker · tonto · mutt · noddy · galoot · jackass · meatball · buttbreath · nit · pillock · gonk · deadhead · dingbat · halfwit · chump · putz · juggins · thickhead · nimrod · asshead · lummox · drool bucket · goofy · fathead · ignoramus · addle-brain · bubblehead · fenderhead · dumbnut · twat · stupe · gorbuson · drongo · bufflehead · fopdoodle · simpleton · dummy · clodpate · imbecile · dip · momo · asswipe · meathead · beetlehead · dope · dunderhead · schmo · brainlet · addlehead · ass · sot · Vulgar: · idiot · bubble brain · dingwad · mushhead · gudgeon · pinhead · nincom · crackhead · cuckoo · simp · Charlie · beetlebrain · mental midget · twit · fucktard · doofoid · spanner · bonehead · clown · doldrum · Boeotian · fuckwit · goofball · dumb bunny · airhead · toolbox · thicko · beanbrain · dumbo · dingleberry · retard · knucklehead · zany · ninnyhammer · ding dong · peckerhead · birdbrain · oaf · cittern-head · witless wonder · farthead · dork · nitwit · addle pate · shithead · dimbus · jackaninny · dumbhead · dipstick