idiotic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "idiotic" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is absurdly foolish or stupid. Example sentence: His idiotic plan to try and fly to the moon without a spaceship was just another example of his craziness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even I could tell the subtitles were idiotic, and I barely speak a word of Spanish.

The Guardian - Film

Oscar said the introduction of community-led alcohol restrictions in 2007 significantly reduced levels of alcohol abuse, but she said it would be "idiotic" to assume the problem could be solved with just one measure.

The Guardian

He told one: "Your number of idiotic tweets, 55,778, and your number of followers, 1,308, gives a good idea of your reputation"; then urged another to shut up and go to bed.

The Guardian - Sport

I have e-mailed you through 2 other gmail accounts just to send you idiotic insults.

The Guardian

And joke or not, it was hard not to view Truffles On The Nipplesgate as a deliberate upstaging of her rival, a shot over Paltrow's bows that sent out a clear message: yes, you may have spent a proportion of your $29 weekly budget on seven limes, but when it comes to saying idiotic things about food, there's a new sheriff in town, and her website's flogging a wooden egg holder for $68 plus P&P.

The Guardian - Film

The other way to get there, of course, is despite the impediment of a big mouth or an idiotic moustache, and fortunately for David Warner, he has both.

The Guardian - Sport

But President Vaclav Havel, a former dissident who is parodied in one episode, called the decision "idiotic".

The Guardian

The idiotic "post-ironic", which Amis would be glad he did not live to see, is banned Is as in dotting the Is and crossing the Ts Isa individual savings account, but no need to spell it out -ise not -ize at end of word, eg maximise, synthesise (exception: capsize) Islam means "submission to the will of God".

The Guardian

Root run out (Maxwell) 18 (England 63-5) That was idiotic risk-taking, but brilliant fielding from Maxwell to collect the ball, size up his options and swing it straight to the stumps as England attempted a second run.

The Guardian - Sport

The idiotic comparisons to Greece have stopped.

The Economist

But it is equally idiotic to argue, as a fair few conservatives seem to, that tough-minded policies are meritorious simply because they are tough-minded.Own goalA pointed objection to George Bush's policies is not just that they crossed a moral line but that they crossed it to no purpose.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "idiotic" to express strong disapproval or disagreement with something that seems particularly foolish or unreasonable. Reserve this word for situations where a milder term like "silly" or "unwise" would not adequately convey your sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "idiotic" in formal writing or professional settings where a more neutral or diplomatic tone is expected. Opt for words like "ill-advised" or "unreasonable" instead to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "idiotic" functions primarily as an evaluative descriptor, attributing a quality of extreme foolishness or lack of intelligence to a noun. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this term is used to express strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "idiotic" is used to describe something extremely foolish or lacking in intelligence. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and quite common, particularly in news and media. While effective for expressing strong disapproval, it's crucial to consider the context, avoiding overuse in formal settings where alternatives like "ill-advised" or "unreasonable" might be more suitable. The term appears frequently in sources like The Economist and The Guardian, denoting its relevance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stupid

A common synonym for "idiotic", suggesting a lack of intelligence or common sense.

Foolish

Implies a lack of good judgment or wisdom.

Nonsensical

Describes something that lacks meaning or makes no sense.

Absurd

Suggests something is wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.

Ridiculous

Describes something that is laughable or deserving of scorn.

Brainless

Indicates a complete lack of intelligence or thought.

Imbecilic

A more formal and stronger term for extreme foolishness or stupidity.

Ludicrous

Similar to ridiculous, but often implies a greater degree of absurdity.

Preposterous

Suggests something is utterly absurd and beyond belief.

Asinine

Describes something that is extremely silly or foolish.

FAQs

How can I use "idiotic" in a sentence?

You can use "idiotic" to describe actions, ideas, or decisions that are extremely foolish or stupid. For example, "That was an "idiotic decision"" or "His "idiotic behavior" is getting him into trouble".

What words can I use instead of "idiotic"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stupid", "foolish", "nonsensical", or "absurd". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "idiotic" and "stupid"?

"Idiotic" generally implies a higher degree of foolishness or irrationality than "stupid". While both words describe a lack of intelligence, "idiotic" often suggests a complete disregard for common sense or logic.

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

The word "idiotic" is appropriate when you want to strongly criticize something for being extremely foolish, senseless, or irrational. Be mindful of your audience and the context, as it can be considered harsh or impolite in formal situations. Alternatives are available if you want to avoid the negative connotation.