The term dumb as a descriptor for someone lacking the ability to speak was once common, and from the early 19th century, it featured in the names of schools and advocacy organizations.

DUMB definition: lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid; dull-witted. See examples of dumb used in a sentence.

DUMB definition: 1. unable to speak: 2. temporarily unable to speak, for example because you are very surprised or…. Learn more.

Feb 14, 2026 · Adjective dumb (comparative dumber, superlative dumbest) (dated) Unable to speak; lacking power of speech. Synonyms: mute, speechless, wordless deaf, dumb, and blind (set phrase) …

1. lacking the power of human speech: dumb animals. 2. (Pathology) offensive lacking the power to speak, either because of defects in the vocal organs or because of hereditary deafness 3. …

If someone is dumb on a particular occasion, they cannot speak because they are angry, shocked, or surprised.

Dumb, mute, speechless, voiceless describe a condition in which speech is absent. Dumb was formerly used to refer to persons unable to speak; it is now used almost entirely of the inability of animals to …

Dumb definition: Temporarily speechless, as with shock or fear.

Dumb is the Old English word that means "mute, speechless," and itself came from an even older word dheubh meaning "confusion, stupefaction, dizziness." Today, dumb still means "unable to speak," …

DUMB meaning: 1 : not showing or having good judgment or intelligence stupid or foolish; 2 : not requiring or resulting from intelligence