imbecility

noun

im·​be·​cil·​i·​ty ˌim-bə-ˈsi-lə-tē 

plural imbecilities

1

a

: the quality or state of being very stupid or foolish : utter foolishness

… it seemed a very odd business, filled with illusions and delusions, at times noble to the point of imbecility and at other times base to the point of amorality.

—Colleen McCullough

also : futility

b

: something that is foolish or nonsensical

… his satire on the imbecilities and greed of politicians …

—Nicholas Von Hoffman

2

dated, now offensive; see usage paragraph below : the condition of being affected with moderate intellectual disability

Usage of Imbecility

The terms idiot, imbecile, moron, and their derivatives, such as imbecility, were formerly used as technical descriptors in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts. These uses were broadly rejected by the close of the 20th century and are now considered offensive.

Synonyms

• absurdity
• asininity
• bêtise
• fatuity
• folly
• foolery
• foppery
• idiocy
• inanity
• insanity
• lunacy
• stupidity

Examples of imbecility in a Sentence

was arrested for the sheer imbecility of speeding down a dark road with no headlights on

we were stunned by the imbecility of the ideas presented by this once-respected biologist

Word History

Etymology

Middle English imbecillite "weakness of a body part, infirmity," borrowed from Middle French and Latin; Middle French imbecillité "weakness, feebleness, intellectual deficiency," borrowed from Latin imbēcillitāt-, imbēcillitās "physical or intellectual weakness," from imbēcillus "physically weak, feeble" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at imbecile entry 2

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

imbecility

noun

im·​be·​cil·​i·​ty ˌim-bə-ˈsil-ət-ē 

plural imbecilities

1

: complete foolishness

2

: something very foolish