dumbdumb1 /dʌm/ ●●○ S3 adjective 
What a dumb question. a bunch of dumb kids ‘What is it?’ I asked, playing dumb (=pretending to be stupid). She’s no dumb blonde (=a pretty woman with blonde hair who seems stupid).► see thesaurus at stupid2unable to speak, because you are angry, surprised, shocked etc: He stared at the burnt-out car in dumb disbelief. She was struck dumb with terror.3 old-fashioned someone who is dumb is not able to speak at all. Many people think that this use is offensive → deaf and dumb at deaf(1)4dumb luck informal something good that happens in an unexpected way, especially when it is not deserved: It was just dumb luck that we found the place at all.5dumb animals/creatures used to talk about animals when you want to emphasize that humans often treat them badly and they cannot protect themselves—dumbly adverb: For a few seconds she gazed dumbly at him.—dumbness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINdumb1
Origin:
Old EnglishEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He stared in dumb misery at the wreckage of the car.
- I can't get my dumb car to start.
- If we look dumb enough, someone's bound to come and help us out.
- Oh, I just did the dumbest thing back there, I forgot my briefcase.
- She's always asking such dumb questions.
- She told him Jeff was just a friend, and he was dumb enough to believe her.
- She was born deaf and dumb.
- That's a dumb idea.
- The athletic guys were seen as 'cute but dumb'.
- You're so dumb, Clarissa!
- And um, questions, there are no dumb questions, right?
- He knew they were trying to tell him something in the sign language used by the deaf and dumb.
- It was definitely an intelligent thing to do, but so dumb.
- Maginn also took part in the debate concerning the intermarriage of deaf and dumb people.
- The dumb ones are too smart to fight.
- The dumb thing is, this is your cameraman mentality, he goes up with these guys who are ice climbing.
- The kitchen is equipped along old-fashioned lines, and meals reach the dining room via a dumb waiter.
- The means of grace are therefore for all of us, deaf, dumb, or destitute.
THESAURUS
showing a total lack of good sense or good judgment. Stupid sounds very strong and is often used when you are annoyed or strongly criticizing someone’s behaviour: · I wish you’d stop asking stupid questions.· It was stupid of me to leave the door unlocked.· Well, if you’re stupid enough to skate on the lake, you deserve to fall in.
doing or saying things that are not sensible or serious, and that may make you feel embarrassed later. Silly sounds much gentler than stupid: · a silly mistake· Don’t be so silly! There’s nothing wrong with you.· I think you’re silly to worry so much about your hair.
informal not sensible, often in a way that is also amusing: · Is this another of your daft ideas?· Don’t be daft! Of course you’re not too old to go clubbing.
informal especially American English stupid: · a dumb question· He was dumb enough to believe her.· Oh, I just did the dumbest thing back there, I forgot my purse.
stupid. Foolish sounds rather formal and is used mainly in written English. The usual words to use in everyday English are silly or stupid: · It was a foolish thing to say.· They did not want to look foolish.· It was all a foolish dream.· I think the board of directors made a foolish choice that it will later regret.
formal done without thinking carefully enough about the possible disadvantages that may result: · She knew the marriage was unwise.· an unwise choice of words· It would be very unwise to speculate.
British English often humorous used when you think that what someone is planning or suggesting is certain to fail, but you do not want to say directly that they are behaving in a stupid way: · The leader of the opposition described it as ‘a brave decision.’· I think he’s being very brave.
Longman Language Activatornot saying anything especially written not speaking: · Phil was silent for a moment as he thought about his reply.remain silent: · I wanted to say 'please don't go', but instead I remained silent, and she left.fall silent (=become silent): · The woman fell silent, though she kept darting angry glances at Jessica.
to be unable to say anything because you are very surprised or because you are not prepared for the situation that has suddenly happened: · No matter what happens he never seems lost for words.· She stared at his letter, clearly at a loss for words.
to be suddenly unable to say anything because you are extremely surprised or shocked and cannot believe what has happened: · Amy was struck dumb. Was it possible that her own son had deceived her?be struck dumb with: · When he arrived at the scene of the disaster, he was struck dumb with horror and amazement.
informal to suddenly become unwilling to talk: · He always clams up when I ask him about his job -- do you think he's doing something illegal?· The police took her in for questioning, but she clammed up when they asked about her boyfriend.
unable to say anything because you are very angry, surprised, or upset: · Anna was speechless. She had never seen such luxury before.speechless with: · Laura stared at him, absolutely speechless with rage.leave/render somebody speechless (=make someone speechless): · His words dented her pride and left her speechless.
unable or unwilling to say anything because you are nervous or embarrassed: · She became tongue-tied when she looked at the handsome man sitting beside her.· Nervousness affects people in different ways. While some people become tongue-tied, others cannot stop talking.
spoken say this when someone gives you an unexpected present, or does something bad or shocking, and you cannot express how happy, angry etc you feel: · You're so kind! I don't know what to say.· Well, I don't know what to say. It's absolutely disgraceful!
spoken say this when you are so shocked or angry that you cannot think of anything to say to express how you feel: · Just look at this mess. Look at it. It's...Words fail me!
to not say anything even though you want very much to say what you think: · I had to bite my tongue to stop myself telling Neil exactly what I thought of his stupid plan.· She's so temperamental that even if you disagree with her it's better to bite your tongue and say nothing.
not able to speak to be unable to speak because you are too ill, weak, frightened etc: · I was so terrified, I couldn't speak.· A lump welled up in his throat and he could not speak.
to become unable to speak because of illness, or because you have been using your voice too much: · On the first night of the show, the star of the play lost his voice and couldn't perform.
unable to speak, especially permanently - use this especially in medical contexts: · A stroke left her mute and unable to use her legs.
permanently unable to speak because of a physical condition - many people now consider this word to be offensive: · According to the story, he was struck dumb (=made dumb) by the gods.· She was born deaf and dumb.
to be unable to say anything because you are very surprised, upset etc: · Rimes, who is rarely at a loss for words, was overcome with emotion as she received her award.
not intelligent also not too bright/intelligent/clever/smart someone who is not very bright/intelligent/clever/smart is unable to learn and understand things quickly and easily: · Sometimes I think Sheila just isn't very bright.· Saja may be handsome, but he's not too smart.· Franco works hard but he isn't really very intelligent.· He treated me like a young and not very clever child.
not at all intelligent: · She talks to us as if we're completely stupid.· Poor Larry's too stupid to realize when you're making fun of him.· It's only stupid people who believe in all that astrology mumbo-jumbo.
especially American, spoken not at all intelligent: · The athletic guys were seen as 'cute but dumb'.· You're so dumb, Clarissa!· If we look dumb enough, someone's bound to come and help us out.
British informal not at all intelligent: · He's a nice boy, but he's a bit thick, isn't he?· Not wishing to appear thick, but what exactly are you doing?as thick as two short planks (=very stupid): · Some of the students they let in these days are as thick as two short planks.
informal unintelligent and very slow to learn: · She's not the brightest kid in the class -- in fact, she's quite dim.· I'm playing a guy who's well-meaning but kind of dim.
informal completely stupid: · My sister's latest boyfriend is pretty brainless; it's impossible to have a conversation with him.· 'You brainless scum!' he shouted after the departing boys.
British informal very stupid - use this especially to describe someone who looks stupid or who never has their own ideas: · He just sat there with his mouth open looking really gormless.· a grinning, gormless boy
formal not as intelligent as most people: · It would be a mistake to assume that all football players are unintelligent.· He may not be as bright as his sister, but he's far from unintelligent.
stupid behaviour, actions, ideas etc someone who is stupid or does stupid things does things that are not at all sensible and may have bad results: · You stupid boy! I've told you not to play with matches!· Withdraw the police from the area? I've never heard such a stupid idea!· Well, if you're stupid enough to skate on the lake, you deserve to fall in.· Don't you call me a stupid idiot!stupid to do something: · You'd have to be stupid not to take advantage of a great offer like this!do something stupid: · I was very drunk last night -- I hope I didn't do anything stupid.it is stupid (of somebody) to do something: · It was stupid of me to believe her of course, but I did.a stupid thing to say/do: · That was a stupid thing to say.· I didn't say you were stupid, I said it was a stupid thing to do.
especially American, spoken stupid: · She's always asking such dumb questions.· She told him Jeff was just a friend, and he was dumb enough to believe her.· Oh, I just did the dumbest thing back there, I forgot my briefcase.
someone who is silly or who says silly things does or says things that are not sensible or serious, and that may make them feel embarrassed later: · Now don't be silly, get up off the floor.· You've made a lot of silly mistakes in this essay.· I have a question which might sound a bit silly.it is silly to do something: · I think you're silly to worry so much about your hair.it is silly of somebody: · That was silly of me -- I just locked the trunk and the keys are inside.silly little: · You're just a silly little boy.a silly thing to do/say: · I had locked myself out, which was a silly thing to do.
British informal stupid in what you do or say, but often in a way that is also amusing: · Is this another of your daft ideas?· Don't be daft! Of course you're not too old to go clubbing.· Well, what's the daftest thing you've ever done at work?daft thing to do/say: · What a daft thing to say!daft as a brush (=used to say that someone is very daft): · She's as daft as a brush, honestly she is.
formal stupid and not thinking sensibly about the possible results of what you do: · Jan realised later that her behaviour had been very foolish.· I think the board of directors made a foolish choice that it will later regret.it is foolish (of somebody) to do something: · It was a warning she would have been foolish to ignore.
formal an action or plan that is ill-advised is stupid because it will probably cause problems in the future or be unsuccessful: · In an ill-advised effort to improve matters, they sent him to boarding school.· The bank claims that the company's losses are the result of an ill-advised decision to declare bankruptcy.
done without thinking carefully enough about the possible disadvantages that may result: · She knew the marriage was unwise, but she wanted a husband and a family.· A Defence Department spokesman described the comments as 'extraordinarily unwise'.· His appointment as chief executive proved to be a very unwise decision.· It's unwise to travel alone in certain parts of the city, so always take a cab.
irrational actions, feelings, or beliefs are not based on clear thinking or sensible reasons, so they are strange or hard to understand: · If Dane drinks even a couple of beers, he becomes irrational and even violent.· Jane's irrational hopes began to rise as she listened to him.irrational fear of/about something: · an irrational fear of flying
WORD SETSabscess, nounache, verbache, nounacne, nounagoraphobia, nounagoraphobic, nounague, noun-aholic, suffixAIDS, nounailment, nounairsick, adjectivealbino, nounalcoholic, nounalcoholism, nounallergic, adjectiveallergy, nounamnesia, nounamputee, nounanaemia, nounanaemic, adjectiveangina, nounanorexia, nounanorexic, adjectiveantacid, nounanthrax, nounantibody, nounantidepressant, nounantidote, nounantigen, nounantihistamine, nounanti-inflammatory, adjectiveantitoxin, nounapoplectic, adjectiveapoplexy, nounappendicitis, nounarteriosclerosis, nounarthritis, nounaseptic, adjectiveaspirin, nounasthma, nounastigmatism, nounasymptomatic, adjectiveathlete's foot, nounatrophy, verbauto-immune disease, nounAyurvedic medicine, nounbaby blues, nounbacillus, nounbackache, nounbark, verbbattle fatigue, nounBCG, nounbedridden, adjectivebedsore, nounbed-wetting, nounbellyache, nounbenign, adjectiveberiberi, nounbespectacled, adjectivebetter, adjectivebilious, adjectivebinge, verbbiopsy, nounbirthmark, nounbite, verbbite, nounblack and blue, adjectiveBlack Death, the, black eye, nounblackout, nounbleed, verbbleeding, nounblind, verbblister, nounblister, verbblood bank, nounblood donor, nounblood poisoning, nounbloodshot, adjectiveblood transfusion, nounbloody, adjectivebloody, verbblue baby, nounboil, nounbotulism, nounbrain damage, nounbreakdown, nounbronchitis, nounbruise, nounbruise, verbBSE, nounbubonic plague, nounbug, nounbulimia, nounbump, nounbunion, nounbuzz, verbcalloused, adjectivecallus, nouncancer, nouncandida, nouncanker, nouncarbuncle, nouncarcinogen, nouncarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinoma, nouncardiac, adjectivecardiovascular, adjectivecaries, nouncarpal tunnel syndrome, nouncarrier, nouncarry, verbcarsick, adjectivecast, nouncasualty, nouncataract, nouncatarrh, nouncatatonic, adjectivecatching, adjectivecauliflower ear, nouncerebral palsy, nouncertify, verbcervical smear, nounchapped, adjectivecharley horse, nounchemotherapy, nounchesty, adjectivechicken pox, nounchilblains, nounChinese medicine, nouncholera, nounchronic, adjectivecirrhosis, nounCJD, nouncleanse, verbcleft palate, nounclinic, nounclinical, adjectiveclub foot, nouncold, nouncold sore, nouncolic, nouncolitis, nouncollapse, verbcolour-blind, adjectivecoma, nouncommon cold, nouncommon denominator, nouncommunicate, verbcomplaint, nouncomplicate, verbcomplication, nouncompound fracture, nounconcuss, verbconcussion, nouncondition, nouncongenital, adjectivecongested, adjectiveconjunctivitis, nounconstipation, nounconsumption, nounconsumptive, nouncontagion, nouncontagious, adjectivecontinent, adjectivecontract, verbcontusion, nounconvalesce, verbconvulsion, nouncorn, nouncortisone, nouncot death, nouncough, nounCPR, nouncrack-up, nouncramp, nounCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease, nouncrick, nouncrick, verbcripple, nouncripple, verbcross-eyed, adjectivecroup, nouncurable, adjectivecut, nouncyst, nouncystic fibrosis, nouncystitis, noundecompression sickness, noundeep vein thrombosis, noundeformity, noundegenerative, adjectivedehydrate, verbdelirious, adjectivedelirium, noundelusion, noundementia, noundengue fever, noundepression, noundermatitis, noundiabetes, noundiabetic, adjectivediabetic, noundiagnosis, noundialysis, noundiaper rash, noundiarrhoea, noundiphtheria, noundisability, noundisable, verbdisabled, adjectivedischarge, verbdisease, noundisgorge, verbdislocate, verbdisorder, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundistemper, noundistend, verbdizzy, adjectivedoddering, adjectivedoddery, adjectivedonate, verbdonor, noundouble vision, noundoughy, adjectivedown, adverbDown's syndrome, noundrawn, adjectivedressing, noundrinker, noundrunk, adjectivedrunk, noundrunken, adjectivedull, adjectivedumb, adjectiveDVT, noundysentery, noundyslexia, noundyspepsia, noundyspeptic, adjectiveearache, nouneating disorder, nounEbola, nounectopic pregnancy, nouneczema, nounemaciated, adjectiveemasculate, verbembolism, nounemphysema, nounencephalitis, nounendoscope, nounenervate, verbenteritis, nounepidemic, nounepilepsy, nounepileptic, adjectiveepileptic, nounetiology, nounexcruciating, adjectiveexposure, nouneyeless, adjectiveeye strain, nounfail, verbfaint, nounfester, verbfever, nounfever blister, nounfevered, adjectivefeverish, adjectivefirst aid, nounfit, nounflat feet, nounflat-footed, adjectiveflu, nounfood poisoning, nounfoot and mouth disease, nounfracture, verbfracture, nounfrostbite, noungall, noungammy, adjectiveganglion, noungangrene, noungas, noungash, noungastric, adjectivegastritis, noungastroenteritis, nounGerman measles, nounget, verbgingivitis, nounglandular fever, nounglaucoma, noungnarled, adjectivegonorrhea, noungout, noungrand mal, noungraze, verbgraze, noungriping, adjectivegroggy, adjectivegrowing pains, noungrowth, noungush, verbgynaecology, nounhacking cough, nounhaemophilia, nounhaemophiliac, nounhaemorrhage, nounhaemorrhage, verbhaemorrhoids, nounhalitosis, nounhandicap, nounhandicapped, adjectivehangover, nounhard of hearing, adjectiveharelip, nounhay fever, nounheadache, nounhealth, nounheart attack, nounheartburn, nounheart disease, nounheart failure, nounheat exhaustion, nounheat rash, nounheatstroke, nounheave, verbhepatitis, nounhernia, nounherpes, nounHIV, nounhormone replacement therapy, nounhospital, nounhospitalize, verbhot flush, nounhousebound, adjectiveHRT, nounhump, nounhumpback, nounhunchback, nounhungover, adjectivehydrophobia, nounhypertension, nounhypothermia, nounhysterectomy, nounhysteria, nounhysterical, adjectiveillness, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nounimmunize, verbimmunology, nounimpacted, adjectiveimpediment, nounimpetigo, nounimpotent, adjectiveincision, nounincontinent, adjectiveincubate, verbincurable, adjectiveindigestion, nounindisposed, adjectiveindisposition, nouninfantile, adjectiveinfantile paralysis, nouninfect, verbinfected, adjectiveinfection, nouninfectious, adjectiveinfirmity, nouninflammation, nouninflammatory, adjectiveinfluenza, nouninfusion, nouningrowing, adjectiveinoculate, verbinoperable, adjectiveinsane, adjectiveinsanity, nouninsomnia, nouninsomniac, nouninstability, nounintensive care, nounintravenous, adjectiveinvalid, nouninvalidity, nouninvasive, adjectiveirregular, adjectiveirritable bowel syndrome, nounirritant, nounirritate, verbirritated, adjectiveirritation, noun-ism, suffixisolation, nounjaundice, nounjaundiced, adjectivejet lag, nounknock-kneed, adjectiveknotted, adjectivelaceration, nounlaryngitis, nounlegionnaire's disease, nounleper, nounleprosy, nounlesion, nounleukemia, nounlisp, nounlisteria, nounliverish, adjectivelockjaw, nounlong-sighted, adjectiveloose, adjectivelozenge, nounlumbago, nounlunacy, nounLyme disease, nounmad cow disease, nounmalady, nounmalaise, nounmalaria, nounmalformation, nounmalignancy, nounmalignant, adjectivemalnourished, adjectivemalnutrition, nounmange, nounmangy, adjectivemania, nounmanic, adjectivemanic depression, nounmastitis, nounME, nounmeasles, nounmedicinal, adjectivemegalomania, nounmegalomaniac, nounmelancholia, nounmelancholic, adjectivemelanoma, nounmend, verbmeningitis, nounmentally handicapped, adjectivemigraine, nounmild, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmole, nounmongol, nounmono, nounmononucleosis, nounmorbid, adjectivemorning sickness, nounmoron, nounmotion sickness, nounmotor neurone disease, nounMRI, nounMRSA, nounMS, nounmultiple sclerosis, nounmumps, nounmurmur, nounmusclebound, adjectivemuscular dystrophy, nounmute, adjectivemute, nounmyopia, nounmyopic, adjectivemyxomatosis, nounnarcolepsy, nounnausea, nounnauseate, verbnauseous, adjectivenearsighted, adjectivenervous breakdown, nounnettle rash, nounneuralgia, nounneurosis, nounneurotic, adjectivenosebleed, nounnotifiable, adjectiveNSU, nounobesity, nounoff-colour, adjectiveoperate, verboperation, nounophthalmic, adjectiveophthalmology, noun-osis, suffixosteoarthritis, nounosteopathy, nounosteoporosis, nounoutpatient, nounoverbite, nounpacemaker, nounpaediatrics, nounpale, adjectivepallid, adjectivepallor, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpalsy, nounpandemic, nounparalyse, verbparalysed, adjectiveparalysis, nounparalytic, adjectiveparalytic, nounparanoia, nounparaplegia, nounparaplegic, nounparasitic, adjectiveParkinson's disease, nounparoxysm, nounpasty, adjectivepasty-faced, adjectivepathogen, nounpathological, adjectivepathology, nounpeaked, adjectivepeaky, adjectivepellagra, nounpeptic ulcer, nounperforated, adjectiveperiod pain, nounperitonitis, nounpernicious anaemia, nounpersecution complex, nounpestilence, nounpestilential, adjectivepetit mal, nounpharyngitis, nounphlebitis, nounphlegm, noun-phobic, suffixphysiotherapy, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepins and needles, nounplacebo, nounplague, nounplaque, nounplaster cast, nounpleurisy, nounPMS, nounPMT, nounpneumonia, nounpockmark, nounpockmarked, adjectivepoisoning, nounpolio, nounpolyp, nounpoor, adjectivepost-traumatic stress disorder, nounpremenstrual tension, nounprescribe, verbprescription, nounpreventive medicine, nounprickle, verbprickly heat, nounprognosis, nounprolapse, nounprophylactic, adjectiveprophylactic, nounprophylaxis, nounpsoriasis, nounpsychopath, nounpsychosis, nounpsychosomatic, adjectivepsychotic, adjectivepuffy, adjectivepull, verbpurulent, adjectivepus, nounpustule, nounqueasy, adjectiverabid, adjectiverabies, nounradiation sickness, nounradiography, nounrash, nounraw, adjectivereact, verbreaction, nounreceive, verbrecuperate, verbrecuperative, adjectiveregurgitate, verbrelapse, verbremission, nounrepetitive strain injury, nounresistance, nounrespond, verbretch, verbRhesus factor, nounrheumatic, adjectiverheumatic fever, nounrheumatism, nounrheumatoid arthritis, nounrickets, nounringworm, nounRSI, nounrubella, nounrun-down, adjectiverunny, adjectiverupture, nounsaddle-sore, adjectivesalmonella, nounscab, nounscabby, adjectivescabies, nounscald, verbscald, nounscaly, adjectivescar, nounscar, verbscarlet fever, nounschizophrenia, nounsciatica, nounsclerosis, nounscrape, verbscrape, nounscratch, nounscurvy, nounseasick, adjectiveseizure, nounself-examination, nounsenile, adjectivesenile dementia, nounsenseless, adjectivesepsis, nounseptic, adjectivesepticaemia, nounserum, nounset, verbsexually transmitted disease, nounshell shock, nounshell-shocked, adjectiveshingles, nounshock, nounshort-sighted, adjectivesickle-cell anaemia, nounsickly, adjectivesickness, nounside effect, nounsightless, adjectivesimple fracture, nounsleeping sickness, nounslipped disc, nounsmallpox, nounsnakebite, nounsnow blindness, nounsore, adjectivesore, nounspastic, adjectivespecial needs, nounspecimen, nounspina bifida, nounsprain, verbsputum, nounsquint, verbsquint, nounstammer, nounstarvation, nounstarve, verbSTD, nounstomachache, nounstone, nounstrain, nounstrain, verbstrangulated, adjectivestrep throat, nounstroke, nounsty, nounsuccumb, verbsufferer, nounsunstroke, nounsuperbug, nounsurgical, adjectiveswelling, nounswollen, adjectivesymptom, nounsymptomatic, adjectivesyndrome, nounsyphilis, nounTB, nountear, verbtetanus, nountherapeutic, adjectivetherapy, nounthrombosis, nounthrush, nountic, nountight, adjectivetingle, verbtinnitus, nountipsy, adjectivetonsillitis, nountoothache, nountorment, nountourniquet, nountoxaemia, nountoxic shock syndrome, nountraction, nountransfusion, nountrauma, nountravel sickness, nountreatment, nountremor, nountuberculosis, nountumour, nountunnel vision, nountwinge, nountwitch, nountyphoid, nountyphus, nounulcer, nounulcerate, verbultrasound, noununderweight, adjectiveundressed, adjectiveunhealthy, adjectiveuntreated, adjectivevaccinate, verbvaccine, nounvaricose veins, nounVD, nounvenereal disease, nounverruca, nounvertigo, nounviral, adjectivevirology, nounvirulent, adjectivevomit, verbvomit, nounwart, nounweak, adjectiveweal, nounweep, verbwheeze, verbwheeze, nounwheezy, adjectivewhiplash, nounwhooping cough, nounwind, nounwithered, adjectivewound, nounwrench, verbwriter's cramp, nounyaws, nounyeast infection, nounyellow fever, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY ‘What is it?’ I asked, playing dumb (=pretending to be stupid). She’s no dumb blonde (=a pretty woman with blonde hair who seems stupid). She was struck dumb with terror.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t play dumb (=pretend you do not know something).'COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
‘What is it?’ I asked, playing dumb (=pretending to be stupid). She’s no dumb blonde (=a pretty woman with blonde hair who seems stupid). She was struck dumb with terror. American English (=sheer good luck, not influenced by anything you did)· Sometimes I think my success was really just dumb luck.
‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t play dumb (=pretend you do not know something).'· I know you're not as dumb as you seem.· He said that a lot of buffalo hunters were as dumb as a rock.· And another player might have just kissed off my remark as dumb but innocuous.
· He's not so dumb, you know.· Harvester was delighted, amazed, that the Union could be so dumb.· How did adults get so dumb?· It was definitely an intelligent thing to do, but so dumb.
· If I hadn't been too dumb I could have come to Mars-U as well, then I wouldn't have been alone.
NOUN· We would become like dumb animals, oxen, or go crazy, and probably both.· Would that as many animal lovers were as quick to speak and defend dumb animals instead of staying silent as so many do.· Bates is intense as the lonely homosexual whose obsessive selfless love is only reciprocated by a dumb animal.
· No such thing as a dumb blonde?
· Maginn also took part in the debate concerning the intermarriage of deaf and dumb people.· Yes, we serve dumb people, too.· Sleight was a genuine friend of deaf and dumb people.· The United States has got some of the dumbest people in the world.
· You've known me too long to think a dumb thing like that.· You had a good reason for every dumb thing you did which you said I would understand someday.· Seven months earlier my friend could be seen on campus wearing blue jeans and a shirt that said dumb things.· Dole finally acknowledged that smoking was probably a dumb thing to do.· You the dumbest thing on this here earth.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1 informal stupid: - The cleanup of the oil spill was helped by good weather and a lot of dumb luck.
- We would become like dumb animals, oxen, or go crazy, and probably both.
- Would that as many animal lovers were as quick to speak and defend dumb animals instead of staying silent as so many do.
- You don't have to look far to see these dumb creatures crawling across the branches of many organizations today.
- You dumb cluck, why'd you tell him?
- Amy was struck dumb. Was it possible that her own son had deceived her?
- When he arrived at the scene of the disaster, he was struck dumb with horror and amazement.
- At times 25,000-plus onlookers were struck dumb by tension and anticipation, a hiccup resounding like a roar.
- I was told it was Duart was struck dumb.
- No wonder the computer wizards were struck dumb by the place; the narcissistic attraction must have been overwhelming.
- Once again I was struck dumb by the mystery of the world.
- One edged remark, and she would be struck dumb.
What a dumb question. a bunch of dumb kids ‘What is it?’ I asked, playing dumb (=pretending to be stupid). She’s no dumb blonde (=a pretty woman with blonde hair who seems stupid).► see thesaurus at stupid2unable to speak, because you are angry, surprised, shocked etc: He stared at the burnt-out car in dumb disbelief. She was struck dumb with terror.3 old-fashioned someone who is dumb is not able to speak at all. Many people think that this use is offensive → deaf and dumb at deaf(1)4dumb luck informal something good that happens in an unexpected way, especially when it is not deserved: It was just dumb luck that we found the place at all.5dumb animals/creatures used to talk about animals when you want to emphasize that humans often treat them badly and they cannot protect themselves—dumbly adverb: For a few seconds she gazed dumbly at him.—dumbness noun [uncountable]