kind of dumb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of dumb" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to describe something or someone as somewhat foolish or lacking intelligence. Example: "I thought the movie was kind of dumb, but it had its funny moments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're kind of dumb pictures.

Independent

What kind of dumb match is that?

The New York Times

It's kind of interesting, kind of dumb".

The New Yorker

And the upfronts are kind of dumb.

The New York Times

They are kind of dumb, but I enjoy them.

The Guardian - Film

"That sounds kind of dumb, but when you're talking about logistically sophisticated attacks it's non-trivial".

The Guardian

Bob Costas, anchor: And apart from this remarkable ability, they're really kind of dumb, huh?

The Guardian

It was kind of dumb for me not to tell Wilkinson, Peca told The Free Press.

The New York Times - Sports

"But what I'm thinking is that dum just looks – kind of dumb".

The Guardian - Books

"It was kind of dumb because my mom got real mad about it," he says glumly.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There are some people who think it's cool, and some people who think it's kind of dumb, like 'Ping-Pong?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of dumb" in informal contexts when you want to express that something is somewhat foolish or unintelligent without being overly harsh. It's suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of dumb" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "somewhat illogical" or "rather ineffective" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of dumb" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, used to describe a noun. It tempers the adjective "dumb", indicating a mild degree of foolishness or lack of intelligence. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kind of dumb" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something as somewhat foolish or lacking intelligence. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable. It's generally appropriate for informal settings and casual conversations, while more formal alternatives should be considered for professional or academic writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources. While "kind of dumb" is widely understood and accepted, writers should be mindful of their audience and the overall tone they wish to convey, opting for more nuanced or formal language when necessary. Alternatives include "somewhat foolish" or "a bit silly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat foolish

Replaces "dumb" with a more polite term, "foolish", while retaining the "kind of" modifier.

not very bright

Uses an indirect way to express a lack of intelligence, replacing "dumb" with "not very bright" and omitting "kind of" for a more direct statement.

rather unintelligent

Substitutes "dumb" with "unintelligent" and "kind of" with "rather", offering a slightly more formal tone.

pretty clueless

Replaces "dumb" with "clueless" emphasizing a lack of awareness or understanding, and uses "pretty" instead of "kind of".

a bit silly

Uses "silly" instead of "dumb" and "a bit" instead of "kind of", making the expression lighter and more playful.

sort of simple-minded

Employs "simple-minded" as a substitute for "dumb", adding a nuance of naivety, and "sort of" in place of "kind of".

a little dense

Uses "dense" to describe a lack of understanding and "a little" instead of "kind of", offering a gentler critique.

slightly absurd

Replaces "dumb" with "absurd", shifting the focus to the illogical nature of something, while keeping the sense of mildness with "slightly".

somewhat brainless

Replaces "dumb" with "brainless" implying a lack of thought, while "somewhat" softens the criticism compared to "kind of".

fairly idiotic

Substitutes "dumb" with the stronger term "idiotic" and "kind of" with "fairly", intensifying the expression.

FAQs

What does "kind of dumb" mean?

The phrase "kind of dumb" means something is somewhat foolish, unintelligent, or lacking good judgment. It expresses a mild degree of criticism or disapproval.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "kind of dumb"?

It's appropriate to use "kind of dumb" in informal conversations, casual writing, and situations where a light-hearted or slightly critical tone is acceptable. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings.

Are there more formal alternatives to "kind of dumb"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "somewhat foolish", "rather unintelligent", or "slightly absurd" depending on the context.

Is "kind of dumb" grammatically correct?

Yes, "kind of dumb" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, although it's considered informal. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.