dumb

Formsdumbs, dumbing, dumbed

1. 1
   adjectivecolloquial

   Not clever, or silly and pointless, as in a dumb idea.

   Like guessing on a test without reading the questions.

   That was a dumb thing to say in front of the boss.

   He felt dumb after getting such an easy question wrong.

   Similarstupid, silly, foolish, idiotic, dim

   Oppositesmart, clever, intelligent, bright

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To make something easier so it needs less thinking.

   Teachers sometimes dumb down the lessons for younger kids.

   They dumbed the test down so more students could pass.

   UsageSay dumb down or dumb it down.

   Similarsimplify, oversimplify

   Oppositecomplicate

   Note
3. 3
   unable to speakadjectiveoffensivedated

   Not able to speak or make words with the voice.

   She was born deaf and dumb, and learned to sign instead.

   We are dumb and we would talk

   1884, “Mighty maiden with a mission”, in W. S. Gilbert (lyrics)Here, dumb means not able to speak.

   UsageSay unable to speak. Struck dumb with shock is fine.

   Similarmute

   Note
4. 4
   no computingadjective

   Describes a machine that is simple and lacks the smart features other machines have, like a dumb phone.

   Like a TV remote that can do nothing on its own without the TV.

   A dumb screen just shows whatever the main computer sends it.

   The old phone was dumb compared to today's smart devices.

   UsageThe opposite of smart, and not rude: a dumb thermostat.

   Oppositesmart

   Note
5. 5
   make stupidverbtransitive

   To make a person or mind less smart.

   Too much junk TV can dumb you down.

   He thinks reality shows are dumbing kids down.

   UsageSay dumb people down.

   Similardull, stupefy

   Oppositesharpen, enlighten

   Note

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