Fatheaded

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a lack of intelligence or common sense, often showing poor judgment
2. Displaying foolish behavior or thoughtlessness, indicating an absence of clear thinking
3. Having a dense or obtuse mind, characterized by poor reasoning and irrational decisions

Etymology: "Fatheaded" is a plain compound of "fat," in its old sense of dull or stupid, and "headed," meaning having a head of a certain kind. Its use as a joke about a foolish mind is older than its everyday look suggests: "fat" was used figuratively for a dull, thick, or sluggish intellect, as in "fat-witted," long before "fatheaded" came along. The word's meaning rests on the idea that a thick head holds a thick mind. Calling someone fatheaded thus says they lack sharpness or sense, much as "blockhead" or "thickhead" does. The construction follows the pattern of other English compounds that treat the head as the seat of understanding, which makes the word transparent to any speaker who can picture the image.

Synonyms: foolish, stupid, dull-witted

Antonyms: intelligent, smart, wise