Idjit vs. Idiot — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on April 17, 2024
Idjit is the incorrect spelling of idiot, which refers to a foolish or stupid person.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Idjit or Idiot
How to spell Idiot?
Idjit
Incorrect Spelling
Idiot
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember, idiot has the same vowel "i" repeated, unlike the jarring "j" in idjit.
The word idiot comes from the Greek word 'idiotes', which does not contain a "j".
Idiot has been consistently spelled without a "j" in English literature and is recognized by all standard dictionaries.
Visualize the correct spelling by associating idiot with "I do it" wrongly, keeping the straightforward spelling without inserting additional consonants like "j".
Idiot is pronounced as /ˈidēət/, which suggests the traditional "io" not "ij".
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How Do You Spell Idiot Correctly?
Incorrect: Are you really such an idjit to believe that?
Correct: Are you really such an idiot to believe that?
Incorrect: Don't be an idjit, put on your seatbelt.
Correct: Don't be an idiot, put on your seatbelt.
Incorrect: She called him an idjit during the argument.
Correct: She called him an idiot during the argument.
Incorrect: That plan sounds like it was made by an idjit.
Correct: That plan sounds like it was made by an idiot.
Incorrect: He acts like a complete idjit when he's nervous.
Correct: He acts like a complete idiot when he's nervous.
Idiot Definitions
Informally used to express exasperation with someone's actions.
He's such an idiot for driving through that red light!
Can be used humorously among friends or in light-hearted banter.
You're an idiot, man! That was the funniest thing I've ever seen.
A person displaying very little intelligence or common sense.
The idiot forgot to bring any of his camping gear.
In historical context, refers to someone mentally handicapped.
In older medical terminology, an idiot was someone with a very severe intellectual disability.
An idiot, in modern use, is a stupid or foolish person. 'Idiot' was formerly a technical term in legal and psychiatric contexts for some kinds of profound intellectual disability where the mental age is two years or less, and the person cannot guard themself against common physical dangers.
A stupid person.
A person who is considered foolish or stupid.
A person with profound intellectual disability having a mental age below three years and generally unable to learn connected speech or guard against common dangers. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.
(pejorative) A person of low general intelligence.
(pejorative) A person who makes stupid decisions; a fool.
We think that people who cycle without a helmet are idiots.
A person of the lowest intellectual standing, a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal four-year-old; a person with an IQ below 30.
(uncommon) idiotic, stupid
A man in private station, as distinguished from one holding a public office.
St. Austin affirmed that the plain places of Scripture are sufficient to all laics, and all idiots or private persons.
An unlearned, ignorant, or simple person, as distinguished from the educated; an ignoramus.
Christ was received of idiots, of the vulgar people, and of the simpler sort, while he was rejected, despised, and persecuted even to death by the high priests, lawyers, scribes, doctors, and rabbis.
A human being destitute of the ordinary intellectual powers, whether congenital, developmental, or accidental; commonly, a person without understanding from birth; a natural fool. In a former classification of mentally retarded people, idiot designated a person whose adult level of intelligence was equivalent to that of a three-year old or younger; this corresponded with an I.Q. level of approximately 25 or less.
Life . . . is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.
A fool; a simpleton; - a term of reproach.
Weenest thou make an idiot of our dame?
A person of subnormal intelligence
A term used in frustration or anger to describe someone's decision or mistake.
Calling him an idiot, she grabbed the correct files herself.
Idiot Meaning in a Sentence
She felt like an idiot after realizing she had sent the email to the wrong person.
You're not an idiot, everyone makes mistakes.
I felt like an idiot standing there with the wrong address.
Sometimes, he acts like an idiot when he's trying to be funny.
Only an idiot would ignore these clear warnings.
She always calls her best friend an idiot in a playful manner.
He called himself an idiot for locking his keys in the car.
Being an idiot in math doesn’t mean you’re not smart in other areas.
Sometimes, playing the idiot can save you from embarrassing situations.
It's not fair to call someone an idiot for making a small mistake.
That was an idiot move, but we can fix it.
I played the idiot at the meeting to avoid more responsibilities.
Don't call her an idiot; she's just learning.
The character in the movie was such an idiot, it was hilarious.
He whispered, "I am such an idiot," after making the same mistake again.
I often act like an idiot to make my little sister laugh.
Who's the idiot that left the door open all night?
Calling yourself an idiot won’t help solve the problem.
Why would you believe him? Are you an idiot?
He labeled himself an idiot for trusting them.
Idiot Idioms & Phrases
Village idiot
Refers to a person known in their community for their foolish behavior.
He’s the village idiot, always doing something ridiculous.
Idiot box
Slang for television, implying it dulls the mind.
Turn off the idiot box and go read a book.
Useful idiot
A derogatory term for a person perceived as a pawn of a more powerful person or group.
He’s just a useful idiot in their schemes.
Complete idiot
Someone very foolish or stupid.
He’s a complete idiot for driving that fast in a school zone.
Idiot’s delight
Refers to something very simple or lowbrow that is amusing.
His jokes are pure idiot’s delight.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in idiot?
The first syllable is stressed in idiot, pronounced as /ˈid/.
How is idiot used in a sentence?
Idiot is used as a noun to describe a foolish person.
What is the root word of idiot?
The root word of idiot is the Greek 'idiotes'.
What is the second form of idiot?
Idiot does not change; it remains "idiot".
Why is it called idiot?
Idiot comes from the Greek word 'idiotes', which originally referred to a private person, but evolved to mean an unskilled or ignorant person.
What is the third form of idiot?
Idiot does not have a third form; it remains as "idiot".
How many syllables are in idiot?
Idiot has three syllables.
How do we divide idiot into syllables?
Idiot is divided as id-i-ot.
What is another term for idiot?
Another term for idiot is fool.
What is the singular form of idiot?
The singular form is "idiot".
What is the pronunciation of idiot?
Idiot is pronounced as /ˈidēət/.
What is the first form of idiot?
The first and only form of idiot is "idiot".
Is idiot an abstract noun?
No, idiot is not an abstract noun; it refers to a type of person.
What is the opposite of idiot?
The opposite of idiot is genius.
Is idiot a negative or positive word?
Idiot is a negative word.
Is idiot a vowel or consonant?
The word "idiot" contains both vowels and consonants.
Is idiot a collective noun?
No, idiot is not a collective noun.
Is the word “idiot” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Idiot can be either a direct or indirect object depending on the sentence.
What is the verb form of idiot?
Idiot does not have a verb form; it is only a noun.
What part of speech is idiot?
Idiot is a noun.
Is idiot an adverb?
No, idiot is not an adverb.
Is idiot a noun or adjective?
Idiot is a noun.
Is the word idiot Gerund?
No, idiot is not a gerund; it remains a noun.
Which determiner is used with idiot?
Determiners like "an" or "the" can be used with idiot, depending on the context.
Which vowel is used before idiot?
Typically, "an" is used before idiot due to the vowel sound at the start of the word.
Which article is used with idiot?
The indefinite article "an" is used before idiot, e.g., "an idiot".
What is the plural form of idiot?
The plural form is "idiots".
Is the word idiot imperative?
No, idiot is not an imperative form; it's a noun.
Is idiot a countable noun?
Yes, idiot is a countable noun.
Is the idiot term a metaphor?
Idiot can be used metaphorically to describe someone acting foolishly.
Which preposition is used with idiot?
Prepositions like "like" (acting like an idiot) or "for" (calling someone an idiot for something) are commonly used.
Which conjunction is used with idiot?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used, depending on the sentence structure.
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
