dingbats: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Technical (Typography)
Quick answer
What does “dingbats” mean?
Informal term for eccentric, silly, or foolish people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Informal term for eccentric, silly, or foolish people.
A series of typographical symbols or ornaments used in printing and design; also, a type of puzzle where pictures represent words or phrases.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The informal meaning (eccentric people) is known in both varieties. The puzzle type is more strongly associated with British English.
Connotations
Humorous, light-hearted mockery when referring to people. Neutral in design/printing contexts.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. The puzzle sense is more common in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “dingbats” in a Sentence
[subject] are [being] dingbatsa font of [type] dingbatspuzzle with dingbatsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in specific fields like graphic design history or typography.
Everyday
Informal, used humorously among friends/family to describe silly behavior.
Technical
Standard term in typography and graphic design for ornamental typefaces (e.g., Zapf Dingbats).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dingbats”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dingbats”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dingbats”
- Using it as a singular countable noun in formal writing (e.g., 'He is a dingbat'). Treating it as a standard insult rather than a humorous term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally a mild, humorous term for foolishness, not a severe insult. Tone and context are key.
Yes, the singular is 'dingbat', though the plural is often used collectively (e.g., 'Those dingbats').
They are considered separate etymologies. The 'symbols' meaning comes from printing slang. The 'foolish person' meaning is of uncertain origin but may be related to 'batty' (crazy).
Yes, the puzzle uses symbolic representations, similar to how dingbat fonts use pictures instead of letters, hence the borrowed name.
Informal term for eccentric, silly, or foolish people.
Dingbats is usually informal, technical (typography) in register.
Dingbats: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪŋbæts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪŋbæts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go dingbats (become crazy or very excited)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DINGing bell and a BAT flying crazily around it – a 'dingbat' is someone acting in a silly, chaotic way.
Conceptual Metaphor
MENTAL INSTABILITY IS PHYSICAL IMPACT (being 'dinged' on the head makes one act 'batty').
Practice
Quiz
In a technical, professional context, what are 'dingbats' most likely to be?