Imbecile
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɪmbəˈsiːl/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Imbecile is a noun meaning (derogatory) A fool, an idiot.
Meaning
(derogatory) A fool, an idiot.
More Meanings
- (dated) Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; especially, mentally weak.
- (obsolete) A person with limited mental capacity who can perform tasks and think only like a young child, in medical circles meaning a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal five- to seven-year-old child.
Example Sentences
hospitals for the imbecile and insane
VLADIMIR: Because he wouldn't save them. / ESTRAGON: From hell? / VLADIMIR: Imbecile! From death.
And then that imbecile crowd down on the deck started their little fun, and I could see nothing more for smoke.
It is an offence for a man to have unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman whom he knows to be an idiot or imbecile.
Word Forms
- imbeciles
Synonyms for imbecile
Depending on context, synonyms include cretin, stupid, idiot, retard, changeling, half-wit.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include half-wit, stupid, idiot, moron, retard, unintelligent.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.