dumbbell

noun

dumb·​bell ˈdəm-ˌbel 

1

: a short bar with weights at each end that is used usually in pairs for exercise

2

: a stupid person : dummy

Synonyms

• 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
• dum-dum
• 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 dumbbell in a Sentence

I feel like a dumbbell for making such a stupid mistake.

no, you're not a dumbbell—this is one of the hardest courses the school offers

Recent Examples on the Web

The dumbbell toy includes grey caps on the ends that can come off, creating a danger for babies, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 3 Sep. 2024

Best Amazon Prime Day Fitness Deals Ramp up your at-home workouts with the Prime Day deals on weight benches, adjustable dumbbells, massage guns, and more. —Laura Lu, Health, 16 July 2024

Before turning back, switch the dumbbell to the opposite hand. —Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 25 Oct. 2024

Here’s how these lightweight tools stack up against dumbbells and kettlebells. —Frankie De La Cretaz, SELF, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dumbbell

noun

dumb·​bell ˈdəm-ˌbel 

1

: a bar with weights at the ends that is usually used for exercise or building strength

2

: a stupid person : dummy entry 1