daft

American  

[daft, dahft] / dæft, dɑft /

adjective

dafter, daftest

1. senseless, stupid, or foolish.

2. insane; crazy.

3. Scot. merry; playful; frolicsome.

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daft British  

/ dɑːft /

adjective

1. informal foolish, simple, or stupid

2. a slang word for insane

3. informal extremely fond (of)

4. slang frivolous; giddy

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Other Word Forms

• daftness
  noun
• daftly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of daft

before 1000; Middle English dafte uncouth, awkward; earlier, gentle, meek, Old English dæfte; cf. deft

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Explanation

Daft means "foolish, wacky, or nutty." like your daft idea of wearing flip-flops to hike through the snow so that you didn't ruin your boots. When the adjective daft is used, you know something extremely silly or obviously goofy is involved — like setting all your money on fire to keep warm, instead of just using it to buy a coat. Some synonyms for daft are absurd, ridiculous, senseless and idiotic, so if someone calls you "daft," maybe you should rethink what you are trying to accomplish: Is there a better way to do it?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

daft dafter daftest

"It is not an old diversion that was never cancelled, it is one of these daft diversions that make no sense," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

"I know how loved this unbelievably daft farty brilliant dog was and I adored sharing him with everyone on here," the radio presenter wrote.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Yet, the film pulls off its share of daft, button-pushing jokes, too.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

Citadel in 2022 moved its headquarters from Chicago to Miami, but it still maintains a large New York presence—which made it a daft target to pick.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

“Is that what your daft uncle did?” asked Duane, genuinely curious.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Maybe you think it could be longer, louder, downright dafter?

From New York Times ● Dec. 28, 2022

Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories Totally undanceable, dafter than ever—and a wire-to-wire triumph.

From Slate ● May 21, 2013

Turning on the nearest cameraman was even dafter.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 7, 2012

Warren Gatland's taunts are starting to look dafter by the match.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 28, 2011

If onything, he's a thocht dafter in his ongaein's, mair silent-like.

From The Moon Endureth: Tales and Fancies by John Buchan

"It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I'll be back."

From BBC ● May 18, 2024

What’s so surprising about it is that Federer has a reputation for being head-boy sensible; here, he’s the daftest kid in the class.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 18, 2016

Of all the daft criticisms of Doctor Who, the daftest has to be that it's little more than a daft children's programme.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 28, 2013

"It's one of the daftest mistakes of my life," he says.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2012

I often tell him he's the daftest in a' the house.—But what are they making sic a skirling for?—Deil ane o' them's get in here—it wadna be mensfu'!

From The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Volume 2 by Sir Walter Scott

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