Dunce

A person considered to be slow-witted or stupid. Often, this term implies a lack of understanding or ability to learn, sometimes due to perceived lack of effort. It can be used to describe someone who struggles with academic concepts, practical skills, or even basic common sense. The word's origin traces back to John Duns Scotus, a medieval philosopher, but its meaning evolved over time, ironically becoming associated with those considered intellectually inferior. The usage of 'dunce' can range from a lighthearted jab to a more harsh and dismissive assessment of someone's intelligence. Its impact can be felt in how we categorize people, and the words we use can be both harmful and demeaning when used with ill intent.

Dunce meaning with examples

• Despite the clear instructions, he repeatedly mixed up the ingredients and served a disastrous dish, earning him the nickname 'dunce' from the other cooks. They teased him lightly, but he could not learn from his mistakes. Perhaps they all knew of the new hire's limited experience, but found his simple errors comical and worth remarking upon.
• The history professor labeled the student a 'dunce' after he failed to grasp the fundamental concepts of the French Revolution. He seemed completely lost. This came as a surprise as the student was normally adept with his school work, but the professor felt that the student was unconcerned with the subject at hand.
• After forgetting her keys for the third time this week, she jokingly called herself a 'dunce'. She's known to be forgetful. It's clear that she did not mean it in a derogatory way and was just trying to make light of her blunder, as forgetting her keys was not a sign of her being stupid.
• The team leader dismissed the suggestion as the proposal of a 'dunce', criticizing the idea for its obvious flaws. The team leader felt that his intelligence far outweighed his colleague's; perhaps they were having issues with their job roles and not respecting the work of each other. They also knew that they had to come up with new ideas.