English Explanatory Dictionary

witless

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Lacking wit or understanding; foolish.
  2. Indiscreet; not using clear and sound judgment.
  3. Mindless, lacking conscious thought or the capacity for it.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-witless.wav

Word forms

witless more witless most witless

Etymology

From Middle English witles, from Old English witlēas (“senseless; witless”), from Proto-Germanic *witjalausaz (“witless”), equivalent to wit + -less. Cognate with Swedish vettlös (“senseless; witless; wild”), Icelandic vitlaus (“senseless; witless; foolish; mad”).

Antonyms

witful

Derived words

witless wonder witlessly witlessness
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