idiotic
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of an idiot.
-
senselessly foolish or stupid.
an idiotic remark.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of idiotic
1705–15; < Late Latin idiōticus < Greek idiōtikós private, ignorant. See idiot, -ic
Explanation
Something that's idiotic is very, very stupid. It would be idiotic to turn down your lottery winnings because you're too lazy to go claim them. An idiotic song is boring, repetitive and has ridiculous lyrics, and an idiotic TV show is badly written and terribly acted. Your dad might describe his dog as idiotic if she manages to find a skunk every single time she goes outdoors. The adjective idiotic is informal, and it comes from the Latin idioticus, "uneducated or ignorant," with the Greek root idiotikos, "unprofessional or unskilled."
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.
“I think it’s idiotic not to have an up-or-down vote on this issue,” Lawler told reporters after a closed-door meeting with Republican legislators.
From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2025
There’s nothing idiotic about that—an echo of Beirut long being known as the “Paris of the Middle East.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2025
I close with the special force of the idiotic idea.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025
Richard Padley, for Peagram, said: "He notes his behaviour as idiotic, immature, embarrassing and pathetic."
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2025
“Now go get dressed, and then we will deal with your idiotic behavior.”
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
