Dumb Definition & Meaning

dumb
adjective
  1. slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity; "so dense he never understands anything I say to him"; "never met anyone quite so dim"; "although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick"- Thackeray; "dumb officials make some really dumb decisions"; "he was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse"; "worked with the slow students"
  2. temporarily incapable of speaking; "struck dumb"; "speechless with shock"
  3. lacking the power of human speech; "dumb animals"
  4. unable to speak because of hereditary deafness

Synonyms for dumb

dense adj

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter; "dense smoke"; "heavy fog

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dim adj

lacking in light; not bright or harsh; "a dim light beside the bed

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dull adj

lacking in liveliness or animation; "he was so dull at parties"; "a dull political campaign

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inarticulate adj

without or deprived of the use of speech or words; "inarticulate beasts

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mute adj

expressed without speech; "a mute appeal"; "a silent curse"; "best grief is tongueless"- Emily Dickinson

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obtuse adj

of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees (of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex lacking in insight or discernment

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silent adj

marked by absence of sound; "a silent house"; "soundless footsteps on the grass

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slow adv

without speed (`slow' is sometimes used informally for `slowly'); "he spoke slowly

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speechless adj

temporarily incapable of speaking; "struck dumb"; "speechless with shock"

♫ Rhymes
stupid adj

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

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"Dumb" in song lyrics

See how dumb is used in real songs:

  • "Now you wanna start acting dumb"
    2 Live Crew — C'mon Babe
  • "I know what's happenin', don't think I'm dumb"
    2 Live Crew — Here I Come
  • "I'm 13, but I ain't dumb"
    2 Low f/ Scarface — Funky Lil Brotha

Words that rhyme with dumb

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Usage tips for "dumb"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "dumb" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for dumb to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with dumb ↔ Synonyms for dumb 🔬 Words containing dumb

Frequently asked questions

What does dumb mean?
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity; "so dense he never understands anything I say to him"; "never met anyone quite so dim"; "although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick"- Thackeray; "dumb officials make some really dumb decisions"; "he was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse"; "worked with the slow students" temporarily incapable of speaking; "struck dumb"; "speechless with shock" lacking the power of human speech
What part of speech is dumb?
Dumb is an adjective.
How many definitions does dumb have?
Dumb has 4 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

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