idiot
gb/ˈɪdiət/ us/ˈɪdiət/
B1
English
~ 1200
idióta, hülye
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
call [someone] an idiot
I felt like an idiot when I forgot my own phone number.
Idiótának éreztem magam, amikor elfelejtettem a saját telefonszámomat.
Don't be such an idiot—read the instructions first.
Ne légy már ilyen idióta — előbb olvasd el az útmutatót!
He's a nice guy, but sometimes he acts like an idiot.
Only an idiot would try to fix that without turning off the power.
Learner examples
My brother called me an idiot when I broke his phone.
A bátyám idiótának nevezett, amikor eltörtem a telefonját.
She felt like an idiot after she lost the keys.
Idiótának érezte magát, miután elvesztette a kulcsokat.
Don't be an idiot; wear your helmet.
He is not an idiot, he just made a mistake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'idiot' with 'idiomatic', but they are unrelated. Also, 'idiot' is informal and can be offensive, so it should be used carefully.
Meaning
A very stupid person
Collocations
complete idiot
|act like an idiot
|feel like an idiot
|you idiot
Synonyms
fool (Less harsh and can sound more playful or mild.)
|
moron (Similar meaning but often slightly stronger in insult.)
Antonyms
genius (Represents the opposite extreme of intelligence.)
Themes
insults
|intelligence
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who is not smart or makes very bad choices.
A person who shows a great lack of intelligence, good judgment, or common sense.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idiot
IPA
GB/ˈɪdiət/
US/ˈɪdiət/
Syllables & stress
idi - ot (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (idi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: idiot
- Plural: idiots
Word family
Forms
idiots
noun
Core family
idiotic
adjective
Related words
idiocy
noun
idiotically
adverb
Expressions
feel like an idiot
1/fˈil lˈaɪk ən ˈɪdiət/
fixed phrase
informal
Feel embarrassed due to foolishness
To feel bad or silly because you did something wrong or stupid.
Examples
- I felt like an idiot when I waved at the wrong person.
- She felt like an idiot after sending the email to the wrong address.
play the idiot
1/plˈeɪ ðə ˈɪdiət/
fixed phrase
informal
Pretend to be stupid
To act like you are stupid, usually to get something or to avoid trouble.
Examples
- He played the idiot so they wouldn't ask him to do more work.
- She was just playing the idiot to make them underestimate her.