English

Alternative forms

• numbskull

Noun

numskull ‎(plural numskulls)

1. (pejorative) A dunce, mentally dull or stupid person.
2. (pejorative) A person who refuses to learn or grow mentally.

   That numskull will never learn how to compose a letter.

3. A traditional name for a fool who serves as the butt of jokes about stupidity.

Usage notes

Numskull is often capitalized as the fictitious name of the traditional fictional butt of jokes.

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:fool

Derived terms

• numpty, numptie

References

• Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967