noun
halfwit
noun
1
A foolish or stupid person (informal and rather insulting).
"Only a halfwit would leave the car running with the keys inside."
How to Use Halfwit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dismissive word for someone acting foolishly.
When to use it
Informal and insulting — avoid it in polite or professional writing.
Word Forms
halfwits plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “halfwit”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only a _____ would leave the car running with the keys inside.
Etymology
From half + wit, first recorded in the early 1600s — someone with only "half" of the mental sharpness expected.