Gormless
Meaning: British slang meaning stupid, lacking common sense or awareness.
'Gormless' means lacking intelligence, sense, or awareness—looking blank and clueless. A very British word describing someone who seems incapable of understanding anything. 'Gaum' was Old English for attention.
Examples
- Don't just stand there looking gormless. 别傻站在那里发呆No te quedes ahí con cara de pasmaroteぼーっと突っ立ってないで멍하니 서 있지 마.
- What a gormless twit. 真是个蠢蛋Menudo imbécil despistadoなんて間抜けなやつだ정말 어리석은 짓을 했네.
- He had a gormless expression. 他一脸呆滞Tenía una expresión de atontado彼はぽかんとした顔をしていた좀 모자라, 그 사람.
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɔːmləs/
Usage Guide
Context: insult
Tone: exasperated, dismissive
✓ Do Say
- British insult for clueless英国对无知者的侮辱用语insulto británico para despistados無知に対するイギリスの侮辱表現멍청한 사람에 대한 영국식 모욕어
✗ Don't Say
- Not understood outside UK在英国以外不被理解No se entiende fuera del Reino Unidoイギリス以外では通じない모욕적일 수 있으니 주의해서 사용할 것
Common Mistakes
- Very British—Americans don't use
Origin & History
From 'gorm' (Old English 'gaum' meaning attention/understanding) + '-less.' Someone without 'gorm' lacks awareness or intelligence. Very British.
Etymology: Gorm (attention) + -less
First recorded: 18th century
Cultural Context
Era: 18th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British TV
Regional notes: British only.
Variations
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