# idiot

/ˈɪˌdiət/ (US) · /ˈɪdɪət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/idiot
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a foolish person

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a person who does something very stupid or makes a bad decision.

For teachers: a person who acts in a foolish or reckless manner. While common in casual speech, it remains an insult and can be offensive depending on the context.

- I felt like such an idiot when I realized I had left my keys inside the car.
- He was acting like a complete idiot, shouting at the waiter for a mistake that wasn't even the restaurant's fault.

Usage: Often used with the adjective 'complete', 'total', or 'absolute' for emphasis.

Teaching tip: Learners should be aware that while friends might use this jokingly with each other, it is a genuine insult when directed at a stranger or used in a professional setting.

## Examples

- I felt like an idiot when I forgot my keys.
- He was acting like a complete idiot at the party, shouting and knocking over drinks.
- The protagonist is often portrayed as a lovable idiot whose lack of common sense is balanced by a heart of gold and an uncanny ability to stumble into success.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.