DictionaryretardOffensive insult
noun

retard

An offensive term for a person considered unintelligent.

The bully uses the slur retard to insult a classmate.

Etymology

The insult arose by shortening a former disability label derived from retard, to delay. It became a degrading term for a person judged unintelligent.

More examples

  • She objected when someone called her brother a retard.
  • The teacher stopped the student from shouting retard at another child.
  • He apologized for using retard as an insult.

Forms

retard · retards

Similar words

idiot
Also insulting; retard additionally carries an ableist disability slur.