Imbecile
noun
A person who behaves in a stupid way, especially because they are not intelligent or lack common sense.
Stop acting like an imbecile and think before you speak.
Often appears as...
- act like an imbecile
- complete imbecile
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
noun
A person who is considered deficient in intellectual capacity.
In older medical texts, 'imbecile' was a term used for those with moderate to severe intellectual disability.
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Stupid, silly, or behaving without thinking.
He always gets himself into trouble with his imbecile actions.
Often appears as...
- imbecile idea
- imbecile behaviour
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A person who behaves in a stupid way, especially because they are not intelligent or lack common sense.
Stop acting like an imbecile and think before you speak.
Often appears as...
- act like an imbecile
- complete imbecile
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
noun
A person who is considered deficient in intellectual capacity.
In older medical texts, 'imbecile' was a term used for those with moderate to severe intellectual disability.
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Stupid, silly, or behaving without thinking.
He always gets himself into trouble with his imbecile actions.
Often appears as...
- imbecile idea
- imbecile behaviour
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Use
Used casually among friends, but it can be very hurtful and offensive if used improperly.
Dude, you're such an imbecile for losing your keys again!
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Conveys a strong negative feeling about someone's behavior or intelligence.
Only an imbecile would trust a complete stranger with all their money.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid in Formality
Inappropriate in formal or polite contexts such as work, school, or when speaking with strangers.
I refrained from calling him an imbecile and chose a more diplomatic term.
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Use
Used casually among friends, but it can be very hurtful and offensive if used improperly.
Dude, you're such an imbecile for losing your keys again!
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Conveys a strong negative feeling about someone's behavior or intelligence.
Only an imbecile would trust a complete stranger with all their money.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid in Formality
Inappropriate in formal or polite contexts such as work, school, or when speaking with strangers.
I refrained from calling him an imbecile and chose a more diplomatic term.
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Use
Used casually among friends, but it can be very hurtful and offensive if used improperly.
Dude, you're such an imbecile for losing your keys again!
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Conveys a strong negative feeling about someone's behavior or intelligence.
Only an imbecile would trust a complete stranger with all their money.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid in Formality
Inappropriate in formal or polite contexts such as work, school, or when speaking with strangers.
I refrained from calling him an imbecile and chose a more diplomatic term.
Never forget "Imbecile"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Interview: Mark Moffett...
they can potentially kill a person so I basically covered myself with plastic and I imbecile enveloped my legs with plastic and my assistant who is a part-time male stripper from Panama was quite a character he was a big meaty guy who could who was
Video examples
The political progress...
And that is how my mother came into this world. But the amazing thing is, even though my mother's own grandmother could not vote in Texas, because under Texas law, "idiots, imbeciles, the insane and women"
Video examples
Interview: Mark Moffett...
they can potentially kill a person so I basically covered myself with plastic and I imbecile enveloped my legs with plastic and my assistant who is a part-time male stripper from Panama was quite a character he was a big meaty guy who could who was
Video examples
The political progress...
And that is how my mother came into this world. But the amazing thing is, even though my mother's own grandmother could not vote in Texas, because under Texas law, "idiots, imbeciles, the insane and women"
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Herbert Spencer
English Philosopher
Who indeed, after pulling off the coloured glasses of prejudice and thrusting out of sight his pet projects, can help seeing the folly of these endeavours to protect men against themselves? A sad population of imbeciles would our schemers fill the world with, could their plans last.
Quote examples
C. S. Lewis
British Writer
If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons.
Quote examples
Jeanne Moreau
French Actress
Some children I have met are very beautiful. Some children are imbeciles, vulgar, terrible.
Quote examples
Alexandre Dumas
French Dramatist
I prefer rogues to imbeciles, because they sometimes take a rest.
Quote examples
Amanda Peet
American Actress
I'm technologically an imbecile. But I do use the camera phone!
Quote examples
Warren Cuccurullo
American Musician
The turning point really is just knowing you're an imbecile.
Quote examples
Albert Schweitzer
German Theologian
Man is a clever animal who behaves like an imbecile.
Quote examples
Matteo Salvini
Italian Politician
Anti-Semites are imbeciles and delinquents.
Quote examples
Matthew Williamson
British Designer
I'm a bit of a digital imbecile.
Quote examples
Camillo di Cavour
Italian Statesman
Lotteries, a tax upon imbeciles.
Quote examples
Herbert Spencer
English Philosopher
Who indeed, after pulling off the coloured glasses of prejudice and thrusting out of sight his pet projects, can help seeing the folly of these endeavours to protect men against themselves? A sad population of imbeciles would our schemers fill the world with, could their plans last.
Quote examples
C. S. Lewis
British Writer
If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons.
Quote examples
Jeanne Moreau
French Actress
Some children I have met are very beautiful. Some children are imbeciles, vulgar, terrible.
Quote examples
Alexandre Dumas
French Dramatist
I prefer rogues to imbeciles, because they sometimes take a rest.
Quote examples
Amanda Peet
American Actress
I'm technologically an imbecile. But I do use the camera phone!
Quote examples
Warren Cuccurullo
American Musician
The turning point really is just knowing you're an imbecile.
Quote examples
Albert Schweitzer
German Theologian
Man is a clever animal who behaves like an imbecile.
Quote examples
Matteo Salvini
Italian Politician
Anti-Semites are imbeciles and delinquents.
Quote examples
Matthew Williamson
British Designer
I'm a bit of a digital imbecile.
Quote examples
Camillo di Cavour
Italian Statesman
Lotteries, a tax upon imbeciles.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension