dumb

Everyday

1. In everyday talk, especially in the USA, dumb means stupid or silly, and it is a rude word for a person. tree →
2. In older English, dumb meant not able to speak; this use is now hurtful and people say «non-speaking» or «unable to speak» instead. tree →
3. To be struck dumb means to be so surprised that you cannot say anything for a moment. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it may show a character calling an idea or thing silly («a dumb mistake») or being too shocked to speak. In school pupils learn it is unkind to call a person dumb. Phrases: «a dumb idea», «struck dumb», «dumb luck» (pure luck), «play dumb» (pretend not to know).

Examples

• That was a dumb mistake; I forgot to carry the one. tree →
• It's unkind to call anyone dumb. tree →
• She was struck dumb when she saw the surprise party. tree →
• He played dumb when Mum asked who ate the cake. tree →
• We won by dumb luck, not by skill. tree →
• I felt dumb when I put my shoes on the wrong feet. tree →
• Animals are sometimes called «dumb animals» because they cannot talk, but they are not stupid. tree →
• The lad was dumb with fright. tree →

Note

The «b» is silent; it rhymes with «thumb». Calling a person dumb is rude, and using it for people who cannot speak is hurtful and old-fashioned. Saying a mistake was dumb is milder than calling a person dumb.

In Jewish tradition

Here it is the old meaning "unable to speak"; God says He is the one who makes a person unable to speak, or deaf, or seeing, or blind.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this as God telling Moses that He, not Moses, controls speech, so Moses should not fear his slow tongue and should go to Pharaoh.

Examples

• And the LORD said unto him: 'Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh a man dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? is it not I the LORD? (Torah EXO.4.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it. (Writings PSA.39.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak arrogantly against the righteous, with pride and contempt. (Writings PSA.31.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. (Writings PRO.31.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

The «b» is silent; it rhymes with «thumb». Calling a person dumb is rude, and using it for people who cannot speak is hurtful and old-fashioned. Saying a mistake was dumb is milder than calling a person dumb.