fatuous
FACH-oo-us
/ˈfætʃ.u.əs/
Silly, pointlessly foolish, or complacent in an absurd way.
Implies a combination of foolishness and self-satisfaction, often showing a smug lack of awareness of one's own stupidity.
The story behind the word. The word comes directly from the Latin 'fatuus', meaning foolish or insipid. In Roman times, it described something that lacked spark or flavor. Over centuries in English, it came to describe people and comments that are absurdly self-satisfied despite being totally devoid of substance.
Word relationships
- inane: Inane emphasizes complete lack of substance, whereas fatuous adds a layer of smug self-satisfaction.
- vacuous: Vacuous stresses empty-headedness, while fatuous highlights foolish complacency.
- sensible: Sensible indicates sound judgment and practical wisdom.
- judicious: Judicious implies careful, thoughtful decision-making.
Commonly confused with
- fabulous: Fabulous means wonderful or mythical; fatuous means silly and self-satisfied.
Word family
- fatuously (adverb): In a fatuous or foolishly smug manner.
- fatuousness (noun): The quality of being fatuous.
Collocations
- fatuous remark
- fatuous grin
- fatuous assumption
- fatuous grin
Example sentences
- "He gave a fatuous grin, oblivious to the fact that everyone in the room was laughing at his expense." Literary analysis of vanity
- "It was a fatuous remark, but it satisfied his ego for the moment." Classic Literature
Memory hook
Think of someone getting 'FAT' on 'uous' (useless) praise and making a smug, foolish comment. Smug foolishness.
When not to use
Do not use for innocent mistakes made by beginners; use 'naive' instead.
Fun facts
- The term 'ignis fatuus' (literally 'fatuous fire') is the Latin name for will-o'-the-wisp—a pale light seen over marshland that fools travelers.
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