stuˈpidity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
CommonNeutral, but often slightly informal or pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “stuˈpidity” mean?
The quality or state of being stupid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being stupid; lack of intelligence or common sense.
Foolish behavior or actions resulting from poor judgment or a lack of sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties employ the word similarly.
Connotations
Generally negative, associated with foolishness, lack of intelligence, or poor decision-making.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “stuˈpidity” in a Sentence
the stupidity of [noun]to demonstrate stupidityout of stupidityfull of stupidityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stuˈpidity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Don't stupid about when there's work to be done.
American English
- He stupided off and missed the deadline.
adverb
British English
- He acted stupidly by ignoring the advice.
American English
- She stupidly left her passport at home.
adjective
British English
- That was a rather stupid thing to do.
American English
- It's stupid to text while driving.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to critique poor decisions or inefficiencies, e.g., 'The project failed due to managerial stupidity.'
Academic
Referenced in psychology or sociology to discuss cognitive limitations or errors.
Everyday
Common in casual speech to express frustration, e.g., 'I can't believe the stupidity of that driver.'
Technical
Rare in technical jargon; more prevalent in lay discussions of human behavior.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stuˈpidity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stuˈpidity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stuˈpidity”
- Using 'stupidity' as an adjective, e.g., 'He is stupidity.' (Correct: 'He is stupid.')
- Overpluralizing as 'stupidities', which is rare and often awkward in casual speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but can be slightly informal; in formal writing, alternatives like 'foolishness' or 'lack of judgment' are often preferred.
Yes, 'stupidities' is possible but rare, typically referring to specific foolish acts or instances.
'Stupidity' implies a lack of intelligence or common sense, while 'ignorance' refers to a lack of knowledge or information.
In British English, it is commonly pronounced as /stjuːˈpɪdɪti/, with the stress on the second syllable.
The quality or state of being stupid.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a moment of stupidity”
- “the height of stupidity”
- “beyond stupidity”
- “pure stupidity”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'stupid' + 'ity' – the noun form meaning the state of being stupid.
Conceptual Metaphor
Stupidity is a burden that weighs down rational thought.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'stupidity'?