daft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "daft" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something as silly, foolish, or lacking common sense. Example: "I can't believe you thought that plan would work; it was completely daft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asked if Bueno should go to the national team, he grinned and grin that said don't be daft but let's indulge that for today.

The Guardian - Sport

Cardboard's opener sees Sommer discussing the finer points of gaming with Modern Family star Ty Burrell, and the pair's easy badinage does a good job of masking the fact that a podcast about board games is a pretty daft idea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Hall said said that Lisa Opie, a BBC executive earning more than £200,000 a year, was "daft" to blog about how tired she got doing a second job running a cafe.

The Guardian

Halfon is one of the few Tory MPs with the credentials to make that sort of joke and Cameron's plans to boost apprenticeships or excise daft red tape is fine, too.

The Guardian

Like insurance companies and tampons, unions have got into a daft habit of acquiring meaningless names.

The Guardian - Opinion

Can be enjoyed straight, or... — The Mr Mo Show (@splintersound1) January 26 , 2014#Hottest100 - great tune by daft punk but so much better when mashed up with Kanye wests Good Life - check out the @hoodinternet remix Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 4.14pm AEST05:14 OK, we're halfway through and at "the business end" as they say on Triple J.

The Guardian

I remember, for example, being encouraged (ie conned) by my grandson into downloading a "free" app featuring a charming kitten, only to discover that if one wanted to clothe this animal in some daft costume or other then one had to shell out a tidy sum for each costume.

The Guardian - Tech

And even today you have to be pretty daft to drive when it takes half the time by train.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The general mood I'm getting in the area is that the new Conservative candidate is going to have to do something incredibly daft not to get in," said Trish Wheatley, in North Dorset.

The Guardian

The film is a daft romp in which a Frenchman from the south, to his horror, is sent by his office to live and work among the Ch'tis.

The Guardian

"Our supporters crowded onto the field and were going daft but we got back in the dressing room to find that QPR had scored a winner in the last minute against Aston Villa.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "daft" when you want to describe something as silly or foolish, especially in a lighthearted or informal context. It's particularly effective when conveying a sense of British or Irish English.

Common error

While "daft" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in formal or professional writing where a more serious or precise term like "foolish" or "unwise" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "daft" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe them as silly, foolish, or lacking good sense. As Ludwig AI explains, it is considered usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, often to express mild disapproval or amusement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "daft" is a common adjective used to describe something as silly or foolish, mainly in informal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in News & Media, as shown from the variety of examples. When writing, remember that while widely accepted, alternatives like "foolish" or "silly" might be more suitable in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foolish

Implies a lack of good sense or judgment, similar to "daft" but can sometimes suggest a more serious error.

silly

Suggests a lack of seriousness or importance, often used in a playful or lighthearted context.

stupid

Indicates a lack of intelligence or understanding, a stronger term than "daft".

idiotic

Similar to 'stupid' but can also refer to being clumsy and disorganized

asinine

Suggests extreme foolishness or stupidity, often to the point of being ridiculous.

witless

Implies a lack of intelligence or understanding, often used in a more formal or literary context.

brainless

Suggests a complete lack of intelligence or thought, often used in a derogatory way.

ludicrous

Describes something as absurd or ridiculous, often due to its foolishness.

absurd

Implies something is illogical or unreasonable, often to the point of being amusing.

nonsensical

Describes something as lacking sense or meaning, often due to its foolish nature.

FAQs

How can I use "daft" in a sentence?

You can use "daft" to describe something as silly or foolish. For example, "That's a daft idea!" or "Don't be so daft."

What can I say instead of "daft"?

You can use alternatives like "foolish", "silly", or "stupid" depending on the context.

Is "daft" formal or informal?

"Daft" is generally considered an informal term. In more formal contexts, consider using words like "foolish" or "unwise".

What's the difference between "daft" and "stupid"?

While both words suggest a lack of intelligence, "daft" is often used in a more lighthearted way, implying silliness or foolishness, whereas "stupid" is a stronger and more direct term for a lack of intelligence. "Stupid" also implies that you do not know something, while "daft" is related to the person's attitude/action.