dunderhead

American  

[duhn-der-hed] / ˈdʌn dərˌhɛd /

noun

1. a dunce; blockhead; numbskull.

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dunderhead British  

/ ˈdʌndəˌhɛd /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dunderheaded
  adjective
• dunderheadedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of dunderhead

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

Explanation

A person who's not so smart might be called a dunderhead. If you manage to start a fire while attempting to fry an egg, your mom might call you a dunderhead. Dunderhead is a more colorful way to say "dummy" or "stupid." It's derogatory, but not the meanest word for someone making a really foolish move: "You dunderhead!" tends to sound a little bit amused. You might call a goofy kid a dunderhead, or call yourself a dunderhead when you make the same silly mistake over and over again. The origin isn't certain, though the dunder part may come from the Middle Dutch word donder, or "thunder."

Related Words

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