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Meaning of dunce
A person considered foolish or stupid.
Etymology of dunce
The word "dunce" originated in the 14th century, derived from the name of John Duns Scotus, a Scottish philosopher and theologian, whose followers, known as the Dunsmen or Dunces, were ridiculed for their supposed foolishness and obtuseness.
Synonyms
fool
idiot
simpleton
numbskull
dimwit
moron
imbecile
ignoramus
dolt
blockhead
buffoon
clod
duffer
dunderhead
galoot
lout
oaf
simple-minded
stupid
foolish
absurd
ridiculous
silly
brainless
mindless
foolish
inept
incompetent
ineffectual
useless
worthless
good-for-nothing
witless
senseless
thoughtless
foolish
silly
absurd
ridiculous
preposterous
laughable
comical
farcical
idiotic
asinine
fatuous
inane
vacuous
vapid
obtuse
dull
dense
crass
boorish
clownish
childish
puerile
immature
infantile
juvenile
foolish
frivolous
irresponsible
reckless
harebrained
scatterbrained
featherbrained
birdbrained
muddleheaded
addlebrained
befuddled
bewildered
confused
disoriented
lost
clueless
foolish
silly
absurd
ridiculous
inept
incompetent
ineffectual
useless
worthless
good-for-nothing
Definitions
- A person who is stupid or foolish, typically used to refer to someone who is slow to learn or understand things.
- A person who is incompetent or ineffectual in a particular activity or situation.
Usage Examples
- The teacher thought of her student as a dunce because he struggled to understand even the simplest concepts.
- The new employee was considered a dunce by his colleagues due to his constant mistakes and lack of common sense.
- The comedian's jokes were so silly and absurd that he was often referred to as a dunce by the audience.
Antonyms
genius
prodigy
intellectual
scholar
expert
mastermind
sage
philosopher
thinker
intellectual
intelligent
clever
brilliant
talented
gifted
skilled
capable
competent
effective
wise
discerning
astute
perceptive
insightful
knowledgeable
informed
learned
erudite
sophisticated
cultured
refined
enlightened
aware
conscious
mindful
thoughtful
considerate
prudent
rational
logical
reasonable
sensible
wise
judicious
discerning
perceptive
intelligent
clever
brilliant
talented
gifted
skilled
capable
competent
effective