cretin

American  

[kreet-n, kret-n] / ˈkrit n, ˈkrɛt n /

noun

1. (no longer in technical use) a person with cretinism.

2. Informal. a very stupid or contemptible person.

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cretin British  

/ ˈkrɛtɪn /

noun

1. old-fashioned a person afflicted with cretinism

2. offensive a person considered to be extremely stupid

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Other Word Forms

• cretinoid adjective
• cretinous adjective
• semicretin noun

Etymology

Origin of cretin

First recorded in 1770–80; from French crétin, originally from French Alpine dialect creitin, crestin “deformed and mentally defective dwarf” (owing to iodine deficiency in Alpine regions); further origin uncertain; perhaps from Vulgar Latin Christiānus “a Christian, human being, unfortunate person,” from Latin Christiānus Christian

Example Sentences

I fanned my face a little faster and resisted the urge to smack these blithering cretins roundly on their hot heads.

From Literature

Pragmatic, good-hearted Ava is the film’s moral center, the one disgusted enough to realize that she, her friends and Southport’s leadership are all cretins.

From Los Angeles Times

"Why do you sacrifice your dignity for this cretin?"

From Salon

Mr. McNally originally tore into Mr. Corden, calling the comedian a “tiny cretin of a man” for two separate incidents where he was cantankerous with the wait staff.

From Washington Times

A badge of honor … leftwing cretins at Youtube banning me for 7 days for a video that quotes 2 peer reviewed articles saying cloth masks don’t work.

From Washington Times