numbskull

noun

numb·​skull ˈnəm-ˌskəl How to pronounce numbskull (audio)
variants or less commonly numskull
1
: a dull or stupid person : dunce
2
: a thick or muddled head

Examples of numbskull in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The chaos started when a numbskull looking for trouble showed up yelling profane unpleasantries about Kirk. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026 By contrast, the Bowdens act like complete numbskulls in this episode of Cape Fear because the plot requires them to do so. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 June 2026 For me, that will always be the realest Drake, an honest-to-a-fault, bitchy numbskull that could make songs full of small, personal moments feel universal. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026 Churchill’s numbskull move immediately made all the exports of his highly export-dependent nation more expensive to buyers in other countries. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for numbskull

Word History

Etymology

numb entry 1 + skull entry 1

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of numbskull was in 1697

Rhymes for numbskull

See All Rhymes for numbskull

Browse Nearby Words

numbrous
numbskull
numdah
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Numbskull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/numbskull. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

numbskull

variant of numskull

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All