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fatuoussilly and pointless; lacking intelligence or substance

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: silly and pointless; lacking intelligence or substance

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfætʃuəs/

Example Sentences

  • The politician's fatuous promise to give everyone a pet unicorn lost him the election.
  • Her fatuous belief that she could learn rocket science in one day was quickly shattered.
  • The movie star's fatuous decision to wear a winter coat to the beach party became a meme.

fatuous

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈfætʃuəs/]

silly and pointless; lacking intelligence or substance

His fatuous grin at the funeral made everyone cringe.
💡 Concept

His fatuous grin at the funeral made everyone cringe.

His fatuous theories sound quite vacuous!
🎵 Rhyme

His fatuous theories sound quite vacuous!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈfætʃuəs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈfætʃuəs/

🌳Etymology

Rootfatu-
Suffix--ous

Origin

From Latin 'fatuus' meaning 'foolish' or 'insipid,' which is of uncertain origin but possibly related to 'fari' (to speak). The word entered English in the 17th century through French influence.

Breakdown

fatuu- (Latin root meaning foolish/insipid) + -ous (suffix forming adjectives meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by') = fatuous (full of foolishness)

🎵Rhyme

vacuousuous
vacuous
uous

🔗Collocations

fatuous remark
fatuous grin
fatuous behavior
fatuous suggestion
fatuous optimism

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The politician's fatuous promise to give everyone a pet unicorn lost him the election.

Her fatuous belief that she could learn rocket science in one day was quickly shattered.

😄 Fun example

The movie star's fatuous decision to wear a winter coat to the beach party became a meme.

His fatuous attempts at appearing intellectual only revealed his ignorance.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

foolishsillyinanevacuousasinine

Antonyms

intelligentwisesensible

Related

fatuousfatalityinfatuation

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