gormless

[gawrm-lis]

adjective

Chiefly British Informal.

1. lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy.

gormless

/ ˈɡɔːmlɪs /

adjective

1. informal,  stupid; dull

Word History and Origins

Origin of gormless¹

First recorded in 1740–50; respelling of earlier gaumless, from Northern English and Scots dialect gaum “heed, attention” (from Old Norse gaumr ) + -less

Word History and Origins

Origin of gormless¹

C19: variant of C18 gaumless, from dialect gome, from Old English gom, gome, from Old Norse gaumr heed

Example Sentences

The Guardian described it as a "gormless lifestyle filler" while The Telegraph gave it two stars and branded it "insane" and an "exercise in narcissism".

From BBC

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin awarded it one star, calling it a "fatuously graphic" and "colossally gormless" series, adding that it contained the "worst dialogue" of the year.

From BBC

The Guardian's Stuart Heritage was less impressed by the performance, declaring it "gormless", "deeply and unsettlingly confusing" and "one of the all-time great berserk musical performances ever seen".

From BBC

Now, there are enough thoughtful screen examinations of racial politics along with normalized visions of inclusive casting to make "You People" stand out as a gormless throwback.

From Salon

I come from a town in France where people look you up and down when you enter a shop – even when you are 12 and gormless.

From The Guardian

When To Use

What does gormless mean?

Gormless is a slang word meaning stupid, dull, or clumsy.Gormless is typically applied to people (and sometimes their actions). It is chiefly used in the U.K.Example: I feel totally gormless whenever I make a silly mistake like that.