idiocy

noun

id·​i·​o·​cy ˈi-dē-ə-sē 

plural idiocies

1

: extreme foolishness or stupidity

the idiocy of the idea

I suppose every mother is reduced to idiocy when describing her firstborn, but, oh, he is a beauty …

—Katherine Paterson

2

: something that is extremely stupid or foolish : an idiotic action or statement

… a number of new bureaucratic idiocies have been instituted.

—Anthony Burgess

3

dated, now offensive; see usage paragraph below : extreme intellectual disability

Usage of Idiocy

The terms idiot, imbecile, moron, and their derivatives, such as idiocy, were formerly used as technical descriptors in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts. The use of these terms in the context of extreme intellectual disability was broadly rejected by the close of the 20th century and is now considered offensive.

Synonyms of idiocy

• insanity
• absurdity
• stupidity

Examples of idiocy in a Sentence

an act of sheer idiocy

He was complaining again about the idiocies of the people he works for.

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s the level of idiocy in the Los Angeles city government. — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026

The idiocy of these people knows no bounds. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

There’s a heartwarming idiocy to their pursuit, yet what festers underneath is their inability to process grief consciously and the fear that those who deem their existence meaningless might be right. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

Gunther and Tig are two billionaire failsons who have wasted countless opportunities and cash chasing the stupidest ideas and who get rewarded over and over again for their idiocy. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing idiocy

• amaurotic idiocy

Kids Definition

idiocy

noun

id·​i·​o·​cy ˈid-ē-ə-sē 

plural idiocies

: something stupid or foolish

Medical Definition

idiocy

noun

id·​i·​o·​cy ˈid-ē-ə-sē 

plural idiocies

dated, now offensive; see usage paragraph below

: extreme intellectual disability

Usage of Idiocy

The terms idiot, imbecile, moron, and their derivatives, such as idiocy, were formerly used as technical descriptors in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts. These uses were broadly rejected by the close of the 20th century and are now considered offensive.