stupid

stupid — adjective

1. describes a person, action, or decision that shows a lack of common sense and is

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

describes a person, action, or decision that shows a lack of common sense and is likely to cause problems or embarrassment

Example

Paloma thought it was a stupid idea to walk home alone after midnight.

it + be + stupid + to-infinitive structure

Brooke felt really stupid when she realised she had left her bag on the bus.

feel + stupid + when-clause

Common collocations
  • stupid idea
  • stupid mistake
  • stupid question
  • stupid thing
  • feel stupid
Synonyms
  • silly

    less harsh and often used playfully or about trivial matters

  • foolish

    more formal; implies a lack of wisdom rather than intelligence

  • dumb

    informal, mainly American; similar strength but slightly less insulting

  • unwise

    formal; focuses on poor judgement in a specific decision

Antonyms
  • clever

    suggests quick thinking and good judgement

  • sensible

    shows practical wisdom and common sense

Grammar Patterns

it + be + stupid + of + person + to-infinitive

it + be + stupid + that-clause

Usage Note

Common in both casual and general speech, but in formal writing alternatives such as 'foolish' or 'unwise' are often preferred because 'stupid' can sound harsh or childish.

Common Mistakes

I felt very stupidly when I forgot the answer.
I felt very stupid when I forgot the answer.
after linking verbs like 'feel', use the adjective 'stupid', not the adverb 'stupidly'.

2. making you feel annoyed or frustrated, especially because a machine, object, or

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

making you feel annoyed or frustrated, especially because a machine, object, or situation keeps causing problems or does not work as it should

Example

The stupid printer ran out of ink right before Sora's deadline.

attributive: the + stupid + [faulty device]

Reuben's phone keeps freezing, and this stupid thing loses all his photos.

Common collocations
  • stupid computer
  • stupid phone
  • stupid car
  • stupid thing
Synonyms
  • annoying

    milder and more neutral; lacks the emotional frustration of 'stupid'

  • frustrating

    focuses on the feeling of being blocked from achieving something

  • ridiculous

    stronger; emphasises how unreasonable the situation seems

Antonyms
  • helpful

    describes something that works well or assists you

  • cooperative

    suggests a situation or object behaves as expected

Grammar Patterns

the + stupid + noun

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used before a noun (attributive), and the noun refers to an inanimate object or situation — never to a person. Using it with a person would switch the meaning to sense 1 (NOT VERY SMART).

Common Mistakes

My boss is so stupid today — he keeps interrupting me.' (unclear which sense)
This stupid computer keeps crashing on me.
for the ANNOYING sense, the subject must be an object or situation, not a person.

3. unable to think clearly, concentrate, or react normally because you are extremel

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

unable to think clearly, concentrate, or react normally because you are extremely tired, in shock, or have received a blow to the head

Example

After studying all night, Vikram felt too stupid to answer even simple questions.

feel + too + stupid + to-infinitive

Mizuki sat on the bench with a stupid expression, unable to move after the race.

collocation: with a stupid expression

Common collocations
  • stupid expression
  • stupid look
  • stupid from shock
  • stupid daze
  • feel stupid
Synonyms
  • dazed

    focuses on confusion and inability to respond; less judgemental

  • groggy

    suggests half-asleep or recovering from illness; informal

  • stunned

    implies shock or amazement as the cause

Antonyms
  • alert

    fully awake and able to think clearly

  • clear-headed

    able to think logically without confusion

Grammar Patterns

feel + stupid

be + stupid + with + noun

look + stupid

Usage Note

Predicative only — this sense is used after linking verbs (feel, look, be, go) and cannot appear before a noun. 'A stupid student' would be interpreted as sense 1. Distinguish from sense 1 by context: sense 3 is temporary, caused by fatigue or shock; sense 1 describes a lasting trait.

Common Mistakes

He was a stupid student after the accident.' (implies sense 1 — permanent trait)
He looked stupid after the accident, staring blankly at the wall.
sense 3 describes a temporary dazed state, not a judgement of character.

stupid — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a lack of good sense, but they differ in strength and formality. 'Silly' is the mildest and is often used for harmless, childish mistakes ('a silly joke'). 'Foolish' is more formal and suggests poor judgement in a specific situation rather than a lack of intelligence ('a foolish investment decision'). 'Dumb' is informal and widespread in American English, slightly less harsh than 'stupid' ('that was a dumb thing to do'). 'Unwise' is the most formal and reserved for careful advice or criticism ('an unwise career move'). In everyday speech, 'stupid' sits between 'dumb' and 'foolish' in strength — harsher than 'silly' but less formal than 'unwise'. For example, calling a friend's plan 'stupid' sounds blunt but honest; calling it 'unwise' sounds detached and analytical.

silly ↗foolish ↗dumb ↗unwise ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • that is stupid
  • how stupid

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'stupidus', meaning 'amazed, stunned', from the verb 'stupere' ('to be numb, be stunned'). The meaning shifted from physically dazed (which survives in sense 3) to mentally slow — someone who seemed stunned was thought to be unintelligent. English borrowed the word through French 'stupide' in the 1500s.