[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dumb/)

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# dumb

adjective (dumb, dumber, dumbest)

«dumb» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In everyday talk, especially in the USA, dumb means stupid or silly, and it is a rude word for a person. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#m1)
2. In older English, dumb meant not able to speak; this use is now hurtful and people say «non-speaking» or «unable to speak» instead. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#m2)
3. To be struck dumb means to be so surprised that you cannot say anything for a moment. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories it may show a character calling an idea or thing silly («a dumb mistake») or being too shocked to speak. In school pupils learn it is unkind to call a person dumb. Phrases: «a dumb idea», «struck dumb», «dumb luck» (pure luck), «play dumb» (pretend not to know).

### Examples

- That was a dumb mistake; I forgot to carry the one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x1)
- It's unkind to call anyone dumb. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x2)
- She was struck dumb when she saw the surprise party. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x3)
- He played dumb when Mum asked who ate the cake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x4)
- We won by dumb luck, not by skill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x5)
- I felt dumb when I put my shoes on the wrong feet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x6)
- Animals are sometimes called «dumb animals» because they cannot talk, but they are not stupid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x7)
- The lad was dumb with fright. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/#x8)

### Note

The «b» is silent; it rhymes with «thumb». Calling a person dumb is rude, and using it for people who cannot speak is hurtful and old-fashioned. Saying a mistake was dumb is milder than calling a person dumb.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it is the old meaning "unable to speak"; God says He is the one who makes a person unable to speak, or deaf, or seeing, or blind.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads this as God telling Moses that He, not Moses, controls speech, so Moses should not fear his slow tongue and should go to Pharaoh.

### Examples

- And the LORD said unto him: 'Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh a man dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? is it not I the LORD? (Torah EXO.4.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dumb/#x1)
- I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it. (Writings PSA.39.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dumb/#x2)
- Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak arrogantly against the righteous, with pride and contempt. (Writings PSA.31.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dumb/#x3)
- Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. (Writings PRO.31.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dumb/#x4)

### Note

The «b» is silent; it rhymes with «thumb». Calling a person dumb is rude, and using it for people who cannot speak is hurtful and old-fashioned. Saying a mistake was dumb is milder than calling a person dumb.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «dumb» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dumb/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dumb» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dumb.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «dumb» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dumb/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dumb» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/dumb.html) on Mova free.