Fatuous

Adjective

Definition: Silly, foolish, or lacking intelligence.

Synonyms: Foolish, Idiotic, Brainless

Antonyms: Wise, Intelligent, Astute

Examples:

His fatuous remarks made everyone roll their eyes.
She couldn't help but laugh at his fatuous attempts to impress her.

Mnemonics:

Think of "fatuous" as "fatty" and associate it with someone being silly or foolish.

Etymology:

Origin:

Fatuous originates from Latin 'fatuus' meaning "foolish" or "silly".

Historical Usage:

The word has been in use since the early 17th century and has maintained its meaning throughout its history.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Fatuous smile"

Explanation:

A smile that appears foolish or lacking sincerity.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing 'fatuous' with 'facetious'.

Explanation:

'Fatuous' means foolish or lacking intelligence, while 'facetious' means treating serious issues with inappropriate humor. Though the words may sound similar, they have distinct meanings.