First Known Use: 1570
Dictionary
dunce
noun \ˈdən(t)s\
: someone who is stupid or slow at learning things
Full Definition of DUNCE
: a slow-witted or stupid person
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Origin of DUNCE
John Duns Scotus, whose once accepted writings were ridiculed in the 16th century
Related to DUNCE
- Synonyms
- airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll (or clodpole), clot [British], cluck, clunk, cretin, cuddy (or cuddie) [British dialect], deadhead, dim bulb [slang], dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, doofus [slang], dope, dork [slang], dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, idiot, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain, loggerhead [chiefly dialect], loon, lump, lunkhead, meathead, mome [archaic], moron, mug [chiefly British], mutt, natural, nimrod [slang], nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, noddy, noodle, numskull (or numbskull), oaf, pinhead, prat [British], ratbag [chiefly Australian], saphead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schnook [slang], simpleton, stock, stupe, stupid, thickhead, turkey, woodenhead, yahoo, yo-yo
Rhymes with DUNCE
DUNCE Defined for Kids
dunce
noun \ˈdəns\
Definition of DUNCE for Kids
: a stupid person
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