Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

simpleton

/ˈsɪmpəltən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.50 in modern English

Syllables
sim-ple-ton
IPA
/ˈsɪmpəltən/
13
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A simple-minded person lacking common sense.

Derogatory; Informal

Example Sentences

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *sm̥-der. Latin sem- Proto-Italic *-plosder. Latin -plus Latin simplusbor. Old French simplebor. Middle English symple English simple English -ton English simpleton From simple + -ton (as in a surname). Compare French simplet, Italian semplicione.

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Synonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce simpleton?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsɪmpəltən/.
What does simpleton mean?
A simple-minded person lacking common sense.
Where does simpleton come from?
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *sm̥-der. Latin sem- Proto-Italic *-plosder. Latin -plus Latin simplusbor. Old French simplebor. Middle English symple English simple English -ton English simpleton From simple + -ton (as in a surname). Compare French simplet, Italian semplicione.

How to pronounce simpleton

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “simpleton”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈsɪmpəltən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “simpleton”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “simpleton” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.