simpleton

American  

[sim-puhl-tuhn] / ˈsɪm pəl tən /

noun

Sometimes Offensive.

1. an ignorant, foolish, or silly person.

   Synonyms:

   dope, ninny, blockhead, numbskull, fool, dolt

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simpleton British  

/ ˈsɪmpəltən /

noun

1. a foolish or ignorant person

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Etymology

Origin of simpleton

First recorded in 1640–50; simple + -ton

Explanation

A simpleton is an idiot — a person without much common sense or intelligence. This is one of many words — such as moron, dummy, and dimwit — that insult a person's intelligence. A simpleton is the opposite of a genius. However, the word simple implies more than lack of intelligence; it suggests being innocent or naive too. So a simpleton could be considered a hillbilly or yokel as well as a dullard or dunce.

Example Sentences

Boris’ political foe, the Boyar Prince Shuisky, was the powerful tenor Yevgeny Akimov, who has graduated from singing the Simpleton when Esa-Pekka Salonen conducted a concert performance of “Boris” at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2018

Anthony made his Met debut as the Simpleton in Mussorsky's "Boris Godunov" on March 6, 1954, with George London in the title role.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2012

In a 1942 essay, “Anton Bruckner: Simpleton or Mystic?,” the British critic Geoffrey Sharp adopted Haas’s belief that Bruckner’s apparent personal naïveté was the key to understanding the textual situation.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2011

In Apocalypsis cum Figuris, the characters are actors who have undertaken to improvise the roles of Simon Peter, Judas, Lazarus, Mary Magdalene, John and the Simpleton�the Simpleton being the Fool in Christ and also Christ.

From Time Magazine Archive

First, he said Simpleton must bring him a man who could drink up a cellar full of wine.

From Snowdrop and Other Tales by Grimm, Jacob