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imbécil. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
imbécil, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
imbécil in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
imbécil you have here. The definition of the word
imbécil will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
imbécil, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Spanish
Etymology
From Latin imbēcillus, from in- (“no”) + baculum (“walking stick, staff”), in the sense of “weak, vulnerable”.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): (Spain) /imˈbeθil/
- IPA(key): (Latin America) /imˈbesil/
- (Spain) Rhymes: -eθil
- (Latin America) Rhymes: -esil
- Syllabification: im‧bé‧cil
Adjective
imbécil m or f (masculine and feminine plural imbéciles)
- (offensive) dumb, having the properties of an imbecile
Noun
imbécil m or f by sense (plural imbéciles)
- (offensive) imbecile, moron, dimwit, nitwit, sucker, dolt, shithead, nincompoop
- (offensive) asshole, prick, jerk, dickhead, twit, twerp, schmuck
Usage notes
- Although in some contexts zonzo, bobo, tonto, menso, culero, tarado, idiota, imbécil, estúpido and pendejo may be synonyms, in most contexts have a different degree, zonzo having the mildest connotation, increasing its intensity in that rough order, to estúpido and pendejo, which have the most offensive sense.
Related terms
Further reading