Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dumb as a doornail

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.49 in modern English

Syllables: dum-b- as a -door-nail
IPA

21

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

5

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Irrefutably or unquestionably dumb.

Derogatory

Etymology

From Middle English dom as a dore-nayle.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: dom as a dore-nayle

Usage

Derogatory

Phrases

dead as a doornail

Frequently Paired Words

dead as a doornail

Questions

What does dumb as a doornail mean?: Irrefutably or unquestionably dumb.
Where does dumb as a doornail come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce dumb as a doornail

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “dumb as a doornail”.
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