stultus
[ˈstʊɫ.tʊs]
The Latin word for moron is stultus.
In a psychological context, this term is a dated way to refer to a person of mild mental subnormality.
Meaning: psychology, dated: person of mild mental subnormality (noun)
Which one should you use?
Fatuus is the masculine form of the word.
Did you know?
- The Proto-Germanic relative of stultus is thought to be stultaz, which surprisingly meant 'proud' rather than 'foolish'.
- In Latin literature, the opposite of a stultus is not always a genius, but often a prudens person, which means someone with 'foresight' or practical wisdom.
- In late Latin and early legal texts, terms like stultus were used to determine if a person was 'non compos mentis' and therefore lacked the legal capacity to sign a contract.
Examples in context
- Vir iste fatuus est.That man is foolish.
- Maxime es stultissimus!You're the biggest moron!
- Non est stultus, sed bene intelligit.He is not a moron, but he understands well.
Example conversation
Quintus and Claudia are arguing about a simple mistake.
- QuintusCur hoc fecisti, Claudia?Why did you do this, Claudia?
- ClaudiaNon scio, Quinte.I don't know, Quintus.
- QuintusVere stultus es.You are truly a moron.
- ClaudiaTace, amice!Shut up, friend!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry stultus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stultus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
