cretin

[kreet-n, kret-n]

noun

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

2. Informal.,  a very stupid or contemptible person.

cretin

/ ˈkrɛtɪn /

noun

1. old-fashioned,  a person afflicted with cretinism

2. offensive,  a person considered to be extremely stupid

Other Word Forms

• cretinoid adjective
• cretinous adjective
• semicretin noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cretin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cretin¹

C18: from French crétin, from Swiss French crestin, from Latin Chrīstiānus _Christian , alluding to the humanity of such people, despite their handicaps

Example Sentences

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

He has mentioned Trump or Musk - who called the Lib Dem leader a "snivelling cretin" last month - in each of his six previous appearances at the weekly scrutiny session in the House of Commons.

From BBC

Prince was also verbally abusive to the boy and called him a "cretin".

From BBC

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

From Salon

But Mr. Musk dismissed the Virgin Islands’ claim as “idiotic on so many levels,” tweeting that he never sought out that “cretin,” Mr. Epstein, for financial advice.

From New York Times