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dunderhead

[duhn-der-hed]
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noun

a dunce; blockhead; numbskull.

RELATED WORDS

ass, stooge, jerk, idiot, sucker, clown, twit, buffoon, nitwit, moron, boob, nerd, clod, dunce, imbecile, dolt, bonehead, oaf, dope, numskull

Nearby words

  1. dundalk,
  2. dundas,
  3. dundee,
  4. dundee cake,
  5. dunder,
  6. dunderpate,
  7. dundonian,
  8. dundrearies,
  9. dune,
  10. dune buggy

Origin of dunderhead

1615–25; apparently < Dutch dunder(kop) numbskull (dunder thunder + kop head) + head
Also called dun·der·pate [duhn-der-peyt] /ˈdʌn dərˌpeɪt/.
Related formsdun·der·head·ed, adjectivedun·der·head·ed·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dunderhead

British Dictionary definitions for dunderhead

dunderhead

noun

a stupid or slow-witted person; dunceAlso called: dunderpate
Derived Formsdunderheaded, adjectivedunderheadedness, noun

Word Origin for dunderhead

C17: probably from Dutch donder thunder + head; compare blockhead
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for dunderhead

dunderhead

n.

1620s, from head (n.); the first element is obscure; perhaps from Middle Dutch doner, donder "to thunder" (cf. blunderbuss).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper