Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Dec 11, 2012
This week's theme
Words to describe people

This week's words
princox
nincompoop
malingerer
curmudgeon
whippersnapper

On your calendar
Get A.Word.A.Day on your calendar

Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

nincompoop

PRONUNCIATION:
(NIN-kuhm-poop, NING-)

MEANING:
noun: A silly or stupid person.

ETYMOLOGY:
Origin unknown. Earliest documented use: 1673.

USAGE:
"I was a nincompoop. A moron. A blockhead."
Jeanne Birdsall; The Penderwicks at Point Mouette; Knopf; 2011.

See more usage examples of nincompoop in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does. -Josh Billings, columnist and humorist (1818-1885)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith