adjective
dumb
Unable to speak.
In the old story, the traveler is struck dumb by fear.
Etymology
Old English dumb meant unable to speak or silent. This sense preserves the older meaning, before the word also became an insult about intelligence.
More examples
- She was briefly dumb with astonishment.
- The historical text used dumb for a person unable to speak.
- He stood dumb before the unexpected sight.
Forms
dumb
Similar words
- speechless
- Usually temporary inability to speak from strong emotion.
- mute
- A speech-related term without the foolishness sense; can also sound dated.