dum-dum

American

[duhm-duhm] / ˈdʌmˌdʌm /

Or dumb-dumb

noun

a silly, stupid person.

adjective

typical of a dum-dum.

another dum-dum idea.

Etymology

Origin of dum-dum

Apparently reduplication and respelling of dumb

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But I’m not a dum-dum, I know what’s going on.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023

Grace and Prepon are tickled by this reunion, as are Kutcher and Kunis, with the former plainly thrilled to witness a new Kelso carrying his dum-dum humor forward; Coronel's Jay is Jackie and Michael's son.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2023

It would be easy to call Kemp a dum-dum who has no idea what he’s doing.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2020

It’s more, ‘I’m bored of you, and also you’re a dum-dum.’

From The New Yorker • Nov. 20, 2018

“A dum-dum cart,” cried Puli, and he echoed after the man, “We need not buy, let us only stop and watch,” and he tugged at my sari.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023