stupid
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /stjˈuːpɪd/
US
- /ˈstupəd/
- /ˈstupɪd/
Description
- foolish
- not smart
- showing poor judgment
Calling someone "stupid" is not kind, but it usually means they have done something foolish or shown poor judgment. It can suggest a lack of intelligence, but people also use it when they are annoyed or upset, not only as a serious opinion. In a story, for example, you might say a character did something "stupid" if they ignored clear warnings and made a bad choice.
Context matters a lot. A "stupid question" does not always mean the person is unintelligent. It often means the question seems very obvious or easy to answer. In the same way, someone might call a plan "stupid" because it seems risky, careless, or likely to fail. The word is strongly negative and can hurt people, so it should be used carefully.
The word "stupid" describes a lack of intelligence, understanding, or good judgment. It is often used as a harsh insult, but its meaning can shift a little depending on how and why it is used.
At its core, "stupid" suggests that a person, action, or idea is foolish, careless, or not sensible. A character in a novel might be described as "acting stupidly" if they ignore clear warnings or keep making the same mistakes. It can also describe something that simply seems foolish or pointless, such as a "stupid mistake."
However, "stupid" is not always about a person's natural intelligence. Sometimes people use it to show frustration or surprise. Saying "That was a stupid thing to do!" may mean you felt shocked or disappointed by someone's action, even if that person is usually sensible and capable.
It is important to remember that calling someone "stupid" is often unkind and unhelpful. Intelligence takes many forms, and people have different strengths and weaknesses. This word carries strong negative meaning and can be deeply hurtful. Cultural norms also affect what people see as "intelligent" or "foolish." What seems sensible in one culture may seem strange or wrong in another.
So, while "stupid" points to a perceived lack of intelligence, it is often also about judgment, frustration, and how people react to each other's actions. Because of that, it is usually best used with great care or avoided altogether.
Examples
- 1
Everyday mistake
That was a stupid mistake.
- 2
Embarrassment
I felt stupid when I realized I had been waiting at the wrong station.
- 3
Personal regret
It was stupid of me to leave my bag on the bus.
Pattern
it was stupid of me to + verb
I was stupid to do that
- 4
Warning
You'd be stupid to ignore a message like that.
Pattern
be stupid to + verb
be unwise enough to do that
- 5
Risky action
Don't do anything stupid just because you're angry.
Phrase
do something stupid
do something careless or dangerous
- 6
Annoyance
We were late because of this stupid traffic.
Usage
stupid can show annoyance, not just talk about intelligence
- 7
Insulting language
Calling someone stupid in a meeting is usually a bad idea.
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- stupidadjectivenoun
Forms
- stupidestsuperlativeadjectivenoun
- stupidercomparativeadjectivenoun