dumdum

1 of 2

noun (1)

dum·​dum ˈdəm-ˌdəm 

: a bullet (such as one with a hollow point) that expands more than usual upon hitting an object

dum-dum

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈdəm-ˌdəm 

: a stupid person : dummy

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• airhead
• birdbrain
• blockhead
• bonehead
• bubblehead
• chowderhead
• chucklehead
• clodpoll
• clodpole
• clot [British]
• cluck
• clunk
• cretin
• cuddy [British dialect]
• cuddie
• deadhead
• dim bulb [slang]
• dimwit
• dip
• dodo
• dolt
• donkey
• doofus [slang]
• dope
• dork [slang]
• dullard
• dumbbell
• dumbhead
• dummkopf
• dummy
• dunce
• dunderhead
• fathead
• gander
• golem
• goof
• goon
• half-wit
• hammerhead
• hardhead
• idiot
• ignoramus
• imbecile
• jackass
• know-nothing
• knucklehead
• lamebrain
• loggerhead [chiefly dialect]
• loon
• lump
• lunkhead
• meathead
• mome [archaic]
• moron
• mug [chiefly British]
• mutt
• natural
• nimrod [slang]
• nincompoop
• ninny
• ninnyhammer
• nit [chiefly British]
• nitwit
• noddy
• noodle
• numskull
• numbskull
• oaf
• pinhead
• prat [British]
• ratbag [chiefly Australian]
• saphead
• schlub [slang]
• shlub
• schnook [slang]
• simpleton
• stock
• stupe
• stupid
• thickhead
• turkey
• woodenhead
• yahoo
• yo-yo

Examples of dumdum in a Sentence

Noun (2)

he's no dum-dum—he made his first million by 25

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Put another way, why are there no dum-dums under the Dome? —Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 10 Dec. 2024

But Williams, often shirtless (and that’s not a bad thing), gets laughs as a dum-dum who speaks in a very high, piping voice. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 14 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Dum Dum, arsenal near Calcutta, India

Noun (2)

reduplication of dumb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1919, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1928, in the meaning defined above