gormless

American  

[gawrm-lis] / ˈgɔrm lɪs /

adjective

Chiefly British Informal.

1. lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy.

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gormless British  

/ ˈɡɔːmlɪs /

adjective

1. informal stupid; dull

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Usage

What does gormless mean? Gormless is a slang word meaning stupid, dull, or clumsy.Gormless is typically applied to people (and sometimes their actions). It is chiefly used in the U.K.Example: I feel totally gormless whenever I make a silly mistake like that.

Etymology

Origin of gormless

First recorded in 1740–50; respelling of earlier gaumless, from Northern English and Scots dialect gaum “heed, attention” (from Old Norse gaumr ) + -less

Example Sentences

The Guardian described it as a "gormless lifestyle filler" while The Telegraph gave it two stars and branded it "insane" and an "exercise in narcissism".

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

Hence, over the years, I’ve had some health problems that were most probably linked to being a gormless, vitamin-deprived vegetarian.

From The Guardian • Sep. 8, 2019

Even gormless corporations try to get in on the act, like when Disney attempted a Mickey Mouse/“Unknown Pleasures” mash-up in 2012, causing people to ask — Is this real?

From Washington Post • Jun. 14, 2019

The gormless relatability of content farms is contrasted with critically acclaimed shows like HBO’s “Insecure,” created by and starring Issa Rae.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2019

But Mr and Mrs Wormwood were both so gormless and so wrapped up in their own silly little lives that they failed to notice anything unusual about their daughter.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl