simpleton

/ˈsɪmpltən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪmpltən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsim-pəl-tən/ (ame, mw)

simpleton — noun

  • simpletonsingular
  • simpletonsplural

1. a person who is not clever and is often tricked by other people because they tru

1.名詞C1
釋義

a person who is not clever and is often tricked by other people because they trust everyone too easily

例句

The market sellers treated Finn like a simpleton and charged him double for vegetables.

collocation: treat [someone] like a simpleton

After lending her savings to a stranger, Ying knew she had acted like a simpleton.

collocation: act like a simpleton

同義詞
  • fool

    more common in everyday English, and can range from playful to very harsh depending on tone

  • dunce

    specifically suggests someone who is slow at learning, often used in classroom contexts

  • half-wit

    similarly old-fashioned but suggests even lower intelligence; more offensive

反義詞
  • genius

    someone with exceptional intelligence or ability

  • intellectual

    a person who enjoys using their mind and thinking deeply

文法句型

simpleton + verb

a simpleton

act like a simpleton

用法筆記

Less harsh than words like 'idiot' or 'moron'. Often used in a mildly mocking or humorous way, and can sound old-fashioned in modern conversation — more common in stories and jokes than as a direct insult.

常見錯誤

❌Don't be a simpleton, that deal is a scam!
✅Only a simpleton would fall for that deal.
💡'Simpleton' is a noun that labels a type of person; it is not used as an interjection or a command.