fatuous

English

Etymology

From Latin fatuus (“foolish, silly, simple”).

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈfæt.ju.əs/
• (US) IPA: /ˈfætʃ.u.əs/

Adjective

fatuous (comparative more fatuous, superlative most fatuous)

1. Obnoxiously stupid, vacantly silly, content in one's foolishness.

   To compare the intelligence levels of men and women is itself fatuous.

Usage notes

• Refers especially to foolishness and disregard of reality.

Synonyms

• (obnoxiously stupid): childish, imbecilic, inane, insipid, puerile

Related terms

• fatuity
• fatuously
• fatuousness

Translations

obnoxiously stupid, vacantly silly, content in one's foolishness

Armenian: տխմար (hy) (txmar) Dutch: dwaas (nl), onwijs (nl) Estonian: kohtlane (et) French: imbécile (fr), stupide (fr), niais (fr) German: töricht (de), albern (de) Italian: fatuo (it)

Latin: fatuus (la) Mandarin: 愚笨 (cmn) (yúbèn) Scottish Gaelic: baoth (gd), amaideach (gd), gòrach (gd) Spanish: fatuo (es)