retarded

American  

[ri-tahr-did] / rɪˈtɑr dɪd /

verb

1. simple past tense of retard.

   Synonyms:

   decelerated , slowed , delayed

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adjective

1. Older Use: Usually Offensive.  characterized by a slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc.

2. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.  stupid or foolish.

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Older Use: Offensive.  Usually the retarded people who are slow or limited in mental development.

retarded British  

/ rɪˈtɑːdɪd /

adjective

1. underdeveloped, esp mentally and esp having an IQ of 70 to 85 See also ESN mental handicap subnormal

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Sensitive Note

In reference to low intellectual ability, the terms retarded, retardation, and mental retardation are now usually perceived as insulting and have largely been replaced by other terms. There are several acceptable alternatives. In general, someone with a mental, physical, or emotional disability may be described as developmentally disabled, or as a person with a developmental disability. If it is specifically a mental disability, the person may be described as cognitively impaired or intellectually disabled. Such a person may be referred to as an individual with a cognitive impairment or a person with an intellectual disability. The slang term retard is a term of abuse used especially by children, though much less commonly than in the past. In both of its meanings, retard is perceived as insulting to disabled people. See also cripple.

Other Word Forms

• nonretarded adjective
• unretarded adjective

Etymology

Origin of retarded

First recorded in 1800–10; retard + -ed ²

Related Words

• absurd
• foolish
• ridiculous
• stupid
• witless