Doltish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Lacking intelligence or showing a stubborn inability to understand things quickly
2. Characterized by a lack of sharpness in intellect or a sluggish comprehension of concepts
3. Exhibiting a foolish or slow-witted nature, often resulting in difficulty grasping ideas or learning

Etymology: "Doltish" is a plain formation: the adjective "dolt" with the suffix "-ish" attached. "Dolt," the noun for a stupid or dull-witted person, is the older piece, and the suffix does the work of turning a person into a quality. The suffix "-ish" has a long pedigree, tracing back through Old English "-isc" to a Proto-Germanic form, where it meant something like "belonging to" or "of the nature of," as in "English," "childish," or "Scottish." Combined with "dolt," the suffix gives the sense of being like a dolt, that is, slow to understand. The result is a word that describes behaviour or manner rather than a fixed trait, which is why "doltish" often suggests someone acting dull-witted in a particular moment or way, rather than being dull in every respect.

Synonyms: foolish, dull, idiotic, simple-minded, obtuse

Antonyms: intelligent, smart, sharp, clever, bright