stupidity

Everyday

1. Stupidity is being stupid: not thinking well or not understanding. tree →
2. A stupidity is a silly or foolish act or idea. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news it describes foolish, careless actions, often dangerous ones: «an act of stupidity». In safety lessons people warn that a moment of stupidity, like playing near railway lines, can cause an accident. It is a strong word; calling a person stupid is unkind.

Examples

• It was sheer stupidity to swim in the flooded river. tree →
• He laughed at his own stupidity after locking the keys in the car. tree →
• The fire was caused by human stupidity, not lightning. tree →
• I can't believe the stupidity of that plan! tree →
• Don't let one moment of stupidity spoil your day. tree →
• The story is about the stupidity of a greedy king. tree →
• Neither violence nor stupidity gave him a thought. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «a lot of stupidity», not «many stupidities». It can sound rude when said about a person; it is kinder to talk about «a mistake» or «a silly idea». Adjective: stupid; opposite: intelligence, wisdom, cleverness.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and news it describes foolish, careless actions, often dangerous ones: «an act of stupidity». In safety lessons people warn that a moment of stupidity, like playing near railway lines, can cause an accident. It is a strong word; calling a person stupid is unkind.

Examples

• The second word, שטותה, cannot be made sense of without emendation. שְׁטוּתָה shetutah would appear to be passed on a root שָׁטָה shatah which means ‘to mock, ridicule’, found in words like שְׁטוּת shetut ‘stupidity’. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «a lot of stupidity», not «many stupidities». It can sound rude when said about a person; it is kinder to talk about «a mistake» or «a silly idea». Adjective: stupid; opposite: intelligence, wisdom, cleverness.