idiocy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "idiocy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means foolishness or stupidity. You can use it when you want to describe someone's foolish or stupid behavior or a foolish or stupid idea. For example, "The idiocy of the decision to cut the budget for education is puzzling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that, just when you think football's governing bodies have run out of ways to display idiocy, they find a new one.

The Guardian - Sport

He must remain sanguine in the face of idiocy.

The Guardian

The secrecy of the British honours system, with its tradition of idiocy and colonialism, snobbery and taint, now requires much of each batch of knighthoods, commanders, and so forth, to be received with Sir Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris (OBE, MBE, CBE) or Fred Goodwin-induced caution.

The Guardian - Opinion

Idiocy is something with which he's profoundly comfortable.

The Guardian

The inconsistencies are almost certainly no accident Cleverer people than me have framed the background to Google's behaviour already, but it's worth stating again that all of the obvious idiocy in the implementation suggests at the least that Google is far from whole-heartedly embracing the ECJ ruling.

The Guardian - Tech

The older I grow, the more blithe idiocy seems the route to sanity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Related: California drought spurs protest over 'unconscionable' bottled water business There's an obvious idiocy here.

The Guardian - Opinion

The good news is that most fearful, micro-managing parents would sense such idiocy brewing within, have a good laugh at their own behaviour, and adjust and reset accordingly.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Graeber's book doesn't just present human idiocy in its bureaucratic form.

The Guardian - Books

This ensured general idiocy and missed deadlines every budget season.Not any more; legislative leaders now (slightly absurdly) pat themselves on the back for passing budgets on time.

The Economist

And for the most part Hollywood is incapable of dealing with even the most heavyweight subjects terrorism included without indulging in a mixture of sensationalism and idiocy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "idiocy" to describe actions or ideas that are profoundly lacking in intelligence or common sense. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "idiocy" in overly casual or lighthearted situations. The term carries a significant weight and is better suited for serious or critical commentary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "idiocy" is as a noun. It serves to name or identify the state or quality of being an idiot, or an instance of extremely foolish behavior. Ludwig examples show its use in criticizing policies and actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "idiocy" functions as a noun denoting extreme foolishness or a specific instance thereof. While grammatically correct, its strong negative connotation makes it unsuitable for casual contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the word commonly appears in news and media when evaluating actions or decisions deemed profoundly unintelligent. When a milder tone is desired, consider using alternatives like "stupidity" or "foolishness". The frequency of use is very common, according to the provided examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stupidity

A direct synonym, emphasizing a lack of intelligence or understanding.

foolishness

Highlights the quality of being silly or unwise.

absurdity

Emphasizes the ridiculous or nonsensical nature of something.

imbecility

A more formal term indicating a marked lack of intelligence.

fatuity

Focuses on being complacently foolish or inane.

inanity

Highlights the lack of substance or meaning.

senselessness

Stresses the lack of reason or logic.

folly

Emphasizes the lack of good sense or judgment.

silliness

Highlights the quality of being frivolous or absurd.

absurdness

Focuses on the state of being ridiculous or unreasonable.

FAQs

How can I use "idiocy" in a sentence?

You can use "idiocy" to refer to a particular instance of foolish behavior, or to describe the general state of being idiotic. For example: "The "idiocy of the decision" was astounding."

What words can I use instead of "idiocy"?

Alternatives include "stupidity", "foolishness", or "absurdity", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "idiocy" and "stupidity"?

"Idiocy" often implies a more extreme lack of intelligence or sense than "stupidity". "Idiocy" can also refer to a specific, senseless act.

When is it appropriate to use the word "idiocy"?

Use "idiocy" when you want to strongly criticize something as being completely devoid of intelligence or reason. Be aware that it is a harsh term and should be used judiciously.