Dumb
/dʌm/adjective
Not able to speak.
He was dumb with astonishment.
Often appears as...
- dumb with fear
- dumb animals
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Silence
Originally meant unable to speak, used for physical inability to vocalize.
In the past, people who were deaf were often called dumb too.
Pro Tip 2/2Sensitive Usage
Be careful using 'dumb' to describe non-speaking; it may be offensive.
Instead of 'dumb', it's more respectful to say 'non-verbal'.
Compare with
foolishignorantintelligentsenselessstupidwitless
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