Idiot
/ˈɪdiət/
Definitions
A foolish or unintelligent person; a stupid person.
/ˈɪdiət/
A stupid person.
Don't be an idiot, wear a helmet when you ride your bike!
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who does something silly and doesn't think things through. Like when you forget your lunch at home and then complain you're hungry—that's a bit like being an idiot!
👶 For kids: Someone who does silly things and doesn't use their brain very well.
More Examples
He drove like an idiot, swerving in and out of traffic.
She called him an idiot after he forgot their anniversary.
How It's Used
"He acted like an idiot when he spilled coffee on the client."
Idioms & expressions
act the idiot
To behave in a foolish or silly way.
"He was acting the idiot all night at the party, telling bad jokes and making a fool of himself."
an utter idiot
A complete fool or someone who is extremely unintelligent.
"The politician was described as an utter idiot for the way he handled the crisis."
From Greek *idiōtēs* (ἰδιώτης), meaning "private person, layman, person lacking professional skill," from *idios* (ἴδιος) "private, one's own." The term evolved to signify someone considered foolish or unintelligent.
Historically, 'idiot' was used as a clinical term for a person with a very low level of cognitive ability, though this usage is now considered offensive.
Memory tip
Imagine an 'I' standing for intelligence and the rest of the word 'diot' representing a lack of it.
Word Origin
"private person, layman"