half-wit

noun

ˈhaf-ˌwit How to pronounce half-wit (audio)
ˈhäf-
: a foolish or stupid person
half-witted adjective
half-wittedness noun

Examples of half-wit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Aerial mishaps and half-wit actors turn a fantasy classic into a farce. Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023 Beau’s brother, Peanut (Kevin Cahoon), a fraction of a half-wit, fires off bullet lists of random jokes for no apparent reason. Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'half-wit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-wit was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near half-wit

Cite this Entry

“Half-wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-wit. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

half-wit

noun
ˈhaf-ˌwit,
ˈhȧf-
: a foolish or unintelligent person
half-witted
-ˈwit-əd
adjective
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