dumb blonde
3
9.9
- noun
- /dʌm blɒnd/
- Slur
:
rubia tonta
- Grable and Marilyn are both ditzy-but-dear dumb blonde types.
- just a dumb blonde
Examples
-
If I fail, then that's proof that I really am a dumb blonde.
Fiction book (2001) -
People think I'm just a dumb blonde.
-
Many people see a blonde woman and immediately think she may be the typical "dumb blonde."
Blog text (24) -
There's nothing I love more than a dumb blonde with daddy's plastic.
Fiction book (2001) -
Like Monroe, she suffered "dumb blonde" roles and critical ridicule.
Fiction book (1991) -
People often stereotype her as a dumb blonde because of her appearance.
-
Despite her success, she still battles the label of the dumb blonde in her career.
-
In movies, the character is frequently portrayed as the classic dumb blonde who can't think for herself.
Synonyms
88
9.9
A rude word for someone who does something very stupid
3
7.5
A person who is not very smart and often makes silly mistakes
2
8.7
A person who is not very smart
1
2.7
A person who is not intelligent and often makes poor choices
1
9.8
A rude word for a person who is very stupid
How Foolish
- Slur
3
9.9
- Offensive
∞
1.2
- Offensive
30
1.1
- Offensive
∞
1.4
976
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
dumb + blonde
The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'dumb' (lacking intelligence) + 'blonde' (a person with blonde hair): an adjective–noun combination that denotes the stereotype of an unintelligent blonde person. Although culturally offensive, the semantic link is straightforward and cross‑linguistically accessible, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Dumb blonde grew from old jokes and movie roles that showed light-haired women as pretty but silly. People put dumb ('not smart') and blonde ('light-haired woman') together to mean a woman seen as lacking common sense, so the phrase is now considered 'offensive'.