Word
imbecile
Phoneticsim·be·cile, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪmbəsaɪɫ/
UK/ɪmbˈɛsaɪl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who is very stupid or acts in a foolish way. It is a very rude word that people use to insult someone they think is not smart.
n. a person of low intelligence or a fool. Highly offensive and derogatory in modern usage; typically used as an insult to describe someone perceived as lacking common sense.
Examples
“He called me an imbecile for making such a simple mistake.”
“The manager was an absolute imbecile and fired the entire team for a minor error.”
Examples
simple
“He called me an imbecile for making such a simple mistake.”
contextual
“The manager was an absolute imbecile and fired the entire team for a minor error.”
Real-World Examples
“Ali G is a white imbecile – a delusional cultural appropriator – who steals the fashion and lyrics from his favourite gangsta rap and dancehall idols, from Compton to Kingston.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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