numbskull

American  

[nuhm-skuhl] / ˈnʌmˌskʌl /

Or numskull

noun

1. a dull-witted or stupid person; dolt.

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numbskull British  

/ ˈnʌmˌskʌl /

noun

1. a stupid person; dolt; blockhead

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Etymology

Origin of numbskull

First recorded in 1690–1700 as numpscull; current spelling first recorded in a letter by Jonathan Swift; numb + skull

Example Sentences

Mama would say I’m being dramatic, and my numbskull little brother would toss in his unwanted two cents and agree, but I feel like my head has gotten too heavy for my neck and I just can’t hold it up anymore.

From Literature

But he is also great with comedy, as the milquetoast Charlie Driggs in Jonathan Demme's classic, "Something Wild," as the movie character who walks off the screen in Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo," and even the numbskull Harry in the hit "Dumb and Dumber."

From Salon

"And you're a clodpoll," said the girl, bitterly, "and a ninny, a numbskull, a lackwit and a coxcomb!"

From Literature

A numbskull with a gigantic chip on his shoulder, Oyster can barely walk the length of himself without picking a fight.

From New York Times

It’s rare for a movie to announce so bluntly and accurately what it’s about and why it exists, but the numbskull Bollywood caper “Total Dhamaal” wastes no time: “It’s all about the money.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• clodpoll