1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a bonehead : performed in a stupid or clumsy manner
the shortstop made a bonehead play
2
: being a college course for students lacking fundamental skills
teaches bonehead English
Synonyms
Noun
- airhead
- birdbrain
- blockhead
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- chucklehead
- clodpoll
- clodpole
- clot [British]
- cluck
- clunk
- cretin
- cuddy [British dialect]
- cuddie
- deadhead
- dim bulb [slang]
- dimwit
- dip
- dodo
- dolt
- donkey
- doofus [slang]
- dope
- dork [slang]
- dullard
- dum-dum
- dumbbell
- dumbhead
- dummkopf
- dummy
- dunce
- dunderhead
- fathead
- gander
- golem
- goof
- goon
- half-wit
- hammerhead
- hardhead
- idiot
- ignoramus
- imbecile
- jackass
- know-nothing
- knucklehead
- lamebrain
- loggerhead [chiefly dialect]
- loon
- lump
- lunkhead
- meathead
- mome [archaic]
- moron
- mug [chiefly British]
- mutt
- natural
- nimrod [slang]
- nincompoop
- ninny
- ninnyhammer
- nit [chiefly British]
- nitwit
- noddy
- noodle
- numskull
- numbskull
- oaf
- pinhead
- prat [British]
- ratbag [chiefly Australian]
- saphead
- schlub [slang]
- shlub
- schnook [slang]
- simpleton
- stock
- stupe
- stupid
- thickhead
- turkey
- woodenhead
- yahoo
- yo-yo
Adjective
- airheaded
- birdbrained
- boneheaded
- brain-dead
- brainless
- bubbleheaded
- chuckleheaded
- dense
- dim
- dim-witted
- doltish
- dopey
- dopy
- dorky [slang]
- dull
- dumb
- dunderheaded
- empty-headed
- fatuous
- gormless [chiefly British]
- half-witted
- knuckleheaded
- lamebrain
- lamebrained
- lunkheaded
- mindless
- oafish
- obtuse
- opaque
- pinheaded
- senseless
- simple
- slow
- slow-witted
- soft
- softheaded
- stupid
- thick
- thick-witted
- thickheaded
- unintelligent
- unsmart
- vacuous
- weak-minded
- witless
Examples of bonehead in a Sentence
Noun
the package's directions seem to suggest that anyone who would buy such a product is a bonehead
Adjective
a bonehead decision to trade their best player
Recent Examples on the Web
Josh Dubow, oregonlive, 14 Jan. 2023
The Patriots pulled off one of the top five most-bonehead plays in post-merger NFL history in losing to the Raiders in Week 15.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2022
His all-time bonehead decision to go for it on fourth down gave the Browns life.
—Dan Labbe, cleveland, 9 Oct. 2022
Colts career, the quarterback has admittedly had a few bonehead moments, but from an overall perspective, Wentz is taking care of the football better than most of the quarterbacks in the NFL.
—Joel A. Erickson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Nov. 2021
The context is his two bonehead interceptions put the day in a sinkhole.
—Dave Hyde, sun-sentinel.com, 24 Oct. 2021
No doubt the front office has made many mistakes, and the coaches have made enough bonehead moves to anger veteran players.
—Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2021
Fan incidents in Salt Lake City, New York and Philadelphia have preceded the water-throwing bonehead at the Garden and fan conduct is becoming a growing issue for players and the NBA.
—BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2021
After scoring 0 against the Pelicans, Joe Ingles was brilliant offensively for 16 points against the Sixers, save for one bonehead turnover in the fourth and subsequent and-one foul.
—Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Mar. 2021
Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 30 Oct. 2022
Yours truly made the bonehead decision to fly to New York for Game 1 of that series the day after our post-marathon-bombing, shelter-in-place Friday.
—BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2021
Bonehead volunteers, neverending work, and the smell of decaying fruit that lingers still beneath my nose.
—Leighshulman, Longreads, 8 Aug. 2017
If new Broncos coach Vance Joseph can prevent Talib from making more bonehead moves on or off the field in the next 12 months, Joseph will deserve coach of the year honors for that achievement alone.
—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2017
See More
Noun
The Seahawks took a 17-16 lead into the half thanks to a bonehead play by Niners safety Jimmie Ward.
—Josh Dubow, oregonlive, 14 Jan. 2023
The Patriots pulled off one of the top five most-bonehead plays in post-merger NFL history in losing to the Raiders in Week 15.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2022
His all-time bonehead decision to go for it on fourth down gave the Browns life.
—Dan Labbe, cleveland, 9 Oct. 2022
Colts career, the quarterback has admittedly had a few bonehead moments, but from an overall perspective, Wentz is taking care of the football better than most of the quarterbacks in the NFL.
—Joel A. Erickson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Nov. 2021
The context is his two bonehead interceptions put the day in a sinkhole.
—Dave Hyde, sun-sentinel.com, 24 Oct. 2021
No doubt the front office has made many mistakes, and the coaches have made enough bonehead moves to anger veteran players.
—Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2021
Fan incidents in Salt Lake City, New York and Philadelphia have preceded the water-throwing bonehead at the Garden and fan conduct is becoming a growing issue for players and the NBA.
—BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2021
After scoring 0 against the Pelicans, Joe Ingles was brilliant offensively for 16 points against the Sixers, save for one bonehead turnover in the fourth and subsequent and-one foul.
—Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Mar. 2021
Adjective
Szturc late in the 2nd picked up a bonehead 10-minute misconduct for a mouthguard violation.
—Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 30 Oct. 2022
Yours truly made the bonehead decision to fly to New York for Game 1 of that series the day after our post-marathon-bombing, shelter-in-place Friday.
—BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2021
Bonehead volunteers, neverending work, and the smell of decaying fruit that lingers still beneath my nose.
—Leighshulman, Longreads, 8 Aug. 2017
If new Broncos coach Vance Joseph can prevent Talib from making more bonehead moves on or off the field in the next 12 months, Joseph will deserve coach of the year honors for that achievement alone.
—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bonehead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near bonehead
Cite this Entry
“Bonehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonehead. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share