lummox
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of lummox
First recorded in 1815–25; compare dialectal (Midlands) lommock “large chunk of food,” lommocking “clumsy, awkward”; further origin uncertain
Explanation
A lummox is an awkward or goofy person. You might fondly refer to your klutzy best friend as a big old lummox. Use the noun lummox when you need an informal, old fashioned word for a klutz. Though it can easily be seen as a serious insult, calling someone a lummox these days is fairly unusual and is more likely to be done in an affectionate or teasing way. Lummox comes from East Anglian slang, although its origin isn't known for sure. Some experts guess that it might stem from "dumb ox" or "lumbering."
Vocabulary lists containing lummox
The Graveyard Book
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East of Eden
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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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.
Best shot: an usher handing the Lummox a program when she goes to hear her son's piano concert.
From Time Magazine Archive
John Lummox, who was now residing with them, was attending a social engagement.
From Condensed Novels: New Burlesques by Harte, Bret
Well, Lummox never changes ez much as a hair, ez he puts up his eyeglasses.
From Condensed Novels: New Burlesques by Harte, Bret
"Omitting a few expletives, he certainly did," returned Lummox with great delicacy.
From Condensed Novels: New Burlesques by Harte, Bret
"I am quite willing to abandon my position in his favor, now," said Lummox with alacrity.
From Condensed Novels: New Burlesques by Harte, Bret
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.
