idiot

Definition

A person of low general intelligence.

Etymology

From Middle English idiote, ydiote, from Old French idiote (later idiot), from Latin idiota, from Ancient Greek ἰδιώτης (idiṓtēs, “a private citizen, one who has no professional knowledge, layman”), from ἴδιος (ídios, “one's own, pertaining to oneself, private”). Doublet of idiota. By surface analysis, idi- + -ot.

Example Sentences

• "Only an idiot would fail this exam."
• "After failing a hat-trick of exams, the teacher called him an idiot."
• "He thought people who don't like cricket are idiots. He later got into fights with people who like football."

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