simpleton

Not very bright

A simpleton is a foolish or gullible person, someone easily deceived or lacking basic common sense.

The word carries a condescending tone, suggesting the person is naive rather than intellectually disabled: He fell for the scam like a simpleton.

It sounds somewhat old-fashioned today, more likely encountered in novels than conversation.

fool

dolt

Stupid person

dimwitFoolish, slow person
dunceSlow-witted person
nitwitFoolish, silly person

blockhead · bonehead · numbskull · halfwit · nincompoop · dunderhead · ignoramus · moron · idiot · dope

rustic

yokel

Naïve rural person

bumpkinUnsophisticated country dweller
hickRural naif, derogatory
rubeNaive country person

hayseed · hillbilly · peasant · provincial · clodhopper · boor · lout · clod · oaf · galoot

unintelligent

airhead

Foolish, flighty person

dummyLifelike substitute figure
dumbbellHandheld exercise weight
cretinDisparaging term for fool

dodo · simp · thickhead · meathead · chucklehead · dullard · slow-witted · dimwitted · dense · obtuse

naive

innocent

Free from moral wrong

guilelessFree from deceit
artlessLacking deceit or cunning
unsophisticatedLacking refinement or complexity

unworldly · childlike · ingenuous · trusting · credulous · gullible · green · impressionable · unsuspecting · unschooled

Categories

old insultsknave, varlet, scoundrel, rogue, blackguard
dimwitsdimwit, idiot, dolt, dunce, moron
foolishnessfoolishness, silliness, foolish, stupid, folly
foolsfool, idiot, moron, fools, idiots
Smartsintelligent, genius, smart, gifted, brilliant
teasing insultsdoofus, goofball, dork, dweeb, goober

Opposites

intellectual capacity

simpletongenius

Person of rare brilliance

intellectual · brain · sage · mastermind · wizard

sophistication and worldliness

simpletonsophisticate

Worldly, cultured person

cosmopolitan · man of the world · connoisseur · woman of the world · sharp cookie

Family

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G