Dumb
/dʌm/noun
Unable to speak; by extension, lacking intelligence or good judgment.
Did you know?In older English, calling someone “dumb” described muteness, and the insult meaning developed much later as silence became metaphorically linked with lack of thought.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰewbʰ-
“to be confused, stunned, or unable to speak”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dumbaz
“mute, speechless”
Old English
OE
dumb
“mute; unable to speak”
Middle English
ME
domb, dumb
“mute, speechless; later also foolish or lacking sense”
Modern English
English
dumb
“unable to speak; foolish or stupid”