| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: |
1 informal stupid :
What a dumb question.
a bunch of dumb kids
What a dumb question.
a bunch of dumb kids2MI unable to speak, because you are angry, surprised, shocked etc :
He stared at the burnt-out car in dumb disbelief.
He stared at the burnt-out car in dumb disbelief.3MI old-fashioned someone who is dumb is not able to speak at all. Many people think that this use is offensive [↪ mute]
➔ deaf and dumb
at deaf (1)4 something good that happens in an unexpected way, especially when it is not deserved :
It was just dumb luck that we found the place at all.
dumb luck
informal
It was just dumb luck that we found the place at all.5 used to talk about animals when you want to emphasize that humans often treat them badly and they cannot protect themselves
dumb animals/creatures
—dumbly adverb:
For a few seconds she gazed dumbly at him.
For a few seconds she gazed dumbly at him. —dumbness noun [uncountable]

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