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Smart

britdam007

britdam007

India

Is unsmart the opposite of smart? Like can we say that Peter is smart but Alex is unsmart? Is the adjective unsmart frequently used in America and does it exist at all in reality?



Best regards,


Abhishek

02:41 PM Oct 05 2014 |

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Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

After doing an internet search, it appears that “unsmart” is a word. However, it is not commonly used in American English at all. It’s the first time I personally have heard of it!


Best,


Amy

01:44 PM Oct 07 2014 |

britdam007

britdam007

India

As a matter of fact the word “unsmart” is not there in the Oxford dictionary either though in India this word is frequently used in conversational English. I don’t know its origin or whether the British had given this word to us as you know India had been a British colony for more than 250 years. But anyway I’d like to know what do you use in America for a person who is not smart at all?



Best regards,


Abhishek

04:46 PM Oct 07 2014 |

Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

There are many adjectives used to describe someone as not smart, though none of them are kind: dumb, stupid, dim, not bright, daft, dense, thick, slow, ignorant, simple-minded, unintelligent, etc. Thesaurus.com is a great site to use if you’d like more synonyms for not smart.


Likwise, there are many words used to describe a not smart individual (the noun): idiot, dimwit, moron, simpleton, dunce, dolt, etc. Again, they’re not kind words!


Hope this helps,


Amy

11:40 PM Oct 07 2014 |

britdam007

britdam007

India

Thank you for your explanation. So do you think “unsmart” is a British usage or something?



Best regards,


Abhishek

06:33 AM Oct 08 2014 |

Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

It’s really hard to say. The best way to find out would likely be through an internet search. I have never heard it used in a British film or British TV, either. Wish I had more information for you!


Best,


Amy

03:33 AM Oct 10 2014 |