Definition of the word dumb

Pronunciation of vocabulary dumb

dumbadjective
câm
/dʌm//dʌm/

Origin of the word dumb

The word "dumb" has a fascinating etymology. The term originally comes from the Old English word "dumb", which means " mute" or "silence". Specifically, it is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*dumbs", which is also the source of the Modern German word "dumm", meaning "foolish" or "simple". The word has undergone a significant change in meaning over time. In the 14th century, it began to be used to describe someone or something that is unable to speak, literally a "mute". Later, the term took on a more pejorative connotation, implying a lack of intelligence or foolishness. Today, the word "dumb" can be used in various contexts, including idioms like "dumbfounded" or "dumb luck", or simply as an adjective to describe something or someone as speechless or foolish.

Vocabulary summary dumb

type adjective

meaning mute

example deaf and dumb

example dumb show

meaning mute

example this piano has several dumb notes

meaning speechless; voiceless (in government...)

example dumb animals: animals that can't talk

example the dumb millions: millions of people have no voice in government

type transitive verb

meaning (rare word, rare meaning) to silence, to make silent

example deaf and dumb

example dumb show

Example of vocabulary dumbnamespace

stupid

ngốc nghếch

That was a pretty dumb thing to do.
Đó là một điều khá ngu ngốc để làm.
If the police question you, act dumb (= pretend you do not know anything).
Nếu cảnh sát thẩm vấn bạn, hãy hành động ngu ngốc (= giả vờ như bạn không biết gì cả).
In her early movies she played a dumb blonde.
Trong những bộ phim đầu tiên của mình, cô đóng vai một cô gái tóc vàng ngốc nghếch.

Extra examples:

I'm sure my question sounded really dumb.
Tôi chắc chắn rằng câu hỏi của tôi nghe có vẻ rất ngớ ngẩn.
The idea is unworkable and just plain dumb.
Ý tưởng này không thể thực hiện được và đơn giản là ngu ngốc.
What are they talking about? It sounds dumb.
Bọn họ đang nói gì thế? Nghe có vẻ ngớ ngẩn.
How could he be so dumb as to do that?
Sao anh có thể ngu ngốc đến mức làm như vậy?
That's the dumbest idea I ever heard.
Đó là ý tưởng ngu ngốc nhất mà tôi từng nghe.

temporarily not speaking or refusing to speak

tạm thời không nói hoặc từ chối nói

We were all struck dumb with amazement.
Tất cả chúng tôi đều chết lặng vì kinh ngạc.
We sat there in dumb silence.
Chúng tôi ngồi đó trong sự im lặng câm lặng.
She stood in the doorway, dumb with rage.
Cô đứng ở ngưỡng cửa, câm lặng vì tức giận.

unable to speak

không thể nói