nitwit Meaning & Definition
What Does Nitwit Mean?
As a noun, nitwit means a scatterbrained or stupid person.
Nitwit: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈnit-ˌwit/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | half-wit, doofus and dimwit |
| Antonyms | sage, thinker and brain |
| Plural | nitwits |
| First known use | 1914 |
Nitwit Definition (Noun)
- a scatterbrained or stupid person
Synonyms of Nitwit
Antonyms of Nitwit
Nitwit in a Sentence
1921, Emmett Campbell Hall, "Need a Hero be a Nitwit?", The Editor, page 58
don't be a nitwit—wear a seat belt!
an absolute nitwit as far as geography is concerned
a nitwit who never should have been given a position of responsibility in the company
Word Forms & Grammar
nitwit
nitwits
nitwit (plural nitwits)
Words That Rhyme With Nitwit
Origin of Nitwit
Origin 1: probably from German dialect nit not + English wit
Origin 2: First attested in the 1910s in the US Northeast. Likely from German nit, dialect form of nichts (“nothing”), or Yiddish ניט (nit), dialect form of נישט (nisht, “no”), although some dictionaries give the alternative etymology nit (“louse egg; something very small”) + wit.
First Known Use
1914
How Do You Say Nitwit?
You say nitwit as /ˈnit-ˌwit/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (nit).
Quick Answers About Nitwit
What part of speech is nitwit?
Nitwit is a noun.
What is another word for nitwit?
Close synonyms of nitwit are half-wit, doofus and dimwit. See the full list of nitwit synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of nitwit?
The plural of nitwit is nitwits.