dunderhead

[duhn-der-hed]

noun

1. a dunce; blockhead; numbskull.

dunderhead

/ ˈdʌndəˌhɛd /

noun

1. Also called: dunderpate. a stupid or slow-witted person; dunce

Other Word Forms

• dunderheadedness noun
• dunderheaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dunderhead¹

1615–25; apparently < Dutch dunder ( kop ) numbskull ( dunder thunder + kop head) + head

Word History and Origins

Origin of dunderhead¹

C17: probably from Dutch donder thunder + _head ; compare _blockhead

Example Sentences

It actually appears that Eric Trump, despite his dunderhead reputation, was far more involved in running the place.

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Even the dunderheads who think Tucker Carlson is a moral authority struggle to buy that one.

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Adolf Hitler was described by a prominent magazine editor in 1930 as a "big mouth," a "half-insane rascal," a "pathetic dunderhead" and a "nowhere fool."

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Still, it is enraging to watch a parade of dunderheads preen on cable — anchors and generals and chatterers — the same people whose cheerleading ensnared us in 20 years of quicksand in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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"You always used to like calling me a dunderhead. And an oaf."

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Related Words

• ass 
• boob 
• buffoon 
• idiot 
• jerk 
• moron 
• nitwit 
• stooge 
• sucker 
• twit