1. to make something less effective or intelligent
使（某物）效能降低或變得不那麼聰明
The complex regulations will dumb down the entire industry.
這些複雜的法規將會拉低整個產業的水準。
Critics accused the network of dumbing down its news coverage.
評論家指責該電視台降低了其新聞報導的品質。
Dumb Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
dumb
verb
快速理解
What does "Dumb" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Dumb"?
「dumb」作動詞時，主要表示使某人或某物變得沉默、無言或顯得愚蠢。
- 1
使沉默
EN: to make someone unable to speak or be silent
翻譯: 使（某人）說不出話或保持沉默。
- 2
使顯得愚蠢
EN: to make something seem stupid or less effective
翻譯: 使某事物顯得愚蠢或降低其效果。
- 3
降低效果
EN: to reduce the effectiveness or impact of something
翻譯: 降低某事物的效能或影響力。
小提醒：注意「dumb」作動詞時，常與「down」連用（dumb down），意指「簡化（內容）使其更易理解，有時帶有貶義（過度簡化至顯得愚蠢）」。這與形容詞「dumb」（愚蠢的）的用法不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Dumb" in English）
How to pronounce "Dumb" in English?"Dumb" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Dumb" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“I generally just wanted to share my thoughts on how dumb and how weird I find social media to be sometimes and how um embedded it is in our lives, to the point where, like, we don't even realize how weird the concepts are, especially when it comes to like like girl, guy, relationship, friendship, advice [ __ ], like that, cuz I feel like nowadays it's so easy to just like pick up your phone and start scrolling.”
(1 out of 18)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Dumb"?How does "Dumb" change by context?
2. to silence or make quiet
使沉默，使安靜
The shocking news dumbed the entire room.
這個令人震驚的消息讓整個房間的人都沉默了。
Her sharp retort dumbed his protests.
她尖銳的反駁使他抗議的聲音戛然而止。
3. to act foolishly or without speaking
行為愚蠢或保持沉默
He just stood there, dumbing around while we worked.
我們在工作時，他就只是站在那裡發呆。
Don't just dumb out when the teacher asks you a question.
老師問你問題時，不要只是傻愣著不說話。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Dumb"?How to make natural sentences with "Dumb"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| dumb + noun | 使...變啞；使...變遲鈍 | The accident dumbed his hearing. (那場事故使他的聽力受損。) |
| dumb + pronoun + down | 簡化（內容）使其更易理解 | The teacher dumbed the lesson down for the younger students. (老師為了年紀較小的學生簡化了課程內容。) |
| dumb something down | 將某事物過度簡化（常帶貶義） | Critics say the network has dumbed down its programming. (評論家說該電視網的節目內容已經被過度簡化了。) |
用法說明
How is "Dumb" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Dumb"?
dumb down vs. make dumb
- dumb down 是一個固定的動詞片語，強調為了讓大眾理解而刻意簡化、降低內容的複雜度或深度。
- make dumb 則是一個較為字面的表達，側重於描述一個動作或過程導致某人或某物變得愚笨、遲鈍或無法說話。
- 在大多數描述「簡化以迎合大眾」的語境中，使用 dumb down 更為自然和地道。 EN: The network decided to dumb down the science documentary for a broader audience. 翻譯: 電視台決定將這部科學紀錄片的內容簡化，以迎合更廣泛的觀眾。
EN:The head injury did not make him dumb; he could still speak, but his reasoning was slower.
翻譯:頭部受傷並沒有讓他變啞巴；他仍能說話，但思維變慢了。
總結建議
在表達「（為迎合大眾而）簡化」時，應使用固定片語 dumb down，而非直譯的 make dumb。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Dumb" and similar words?How to choose "Dumb" vs alternatives?
dumb vs mute
「dumb」通常指因生理缺陷或震驚而暫時無法說話，而「mute」則更常指天生或永久性的失語狀態，或指故意保持沉默。
dumb vs silence
「dumb」強調的是（人或動物）喪失說話能力的狀態，而「silence」則泛指任何沒有聲音的安靜狀態，或指使安靜下來的動作。
dumb vs stupid
「dumb」作形容詞時可指「愚蠢的」，但作動詞時意為「使安靜」或「簡化」。而「stupid」主要作形容詞，指智力上的愚笨，或作名詞指傻瓜。
口語用法
How is "Dumb" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Dumb"?
引述
用於引述或模仿他人說話，常帶有戲謔或不認同的語氣。 EN: He was like, "That's so dumb," and walked away. 翻譯: 他就說：「那也太蠢了吧，」然後就走掉了。
EN:She goes, "Don't be dumb about it," but she was the one who messed up.
翻譯:她就說：「別在這件事上犯蠢，」但搞砸的人明明是她。
語氣強調
用於加強否定或批評的語氣，使表達更直接、情緒化。 EN: That idea is just dumb. Let's not even consider it. 翻譯: 那個點子就是很蠢。我們連考慮都別考慮。
EN:I'm not doing that—it would be dumb to risk it for no reason.
翻譯:我才不要那樣做——無緣無故去冒險太蠢了。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，作為填充詞，類似「呃」、「那個」。 EN: The plan was... dumb... wait, no, I mean "simple." 翻譯: 這個計畫是…蠢…等等，不對，我是說「簡單」。
EN:It's kind of a dumb... you know what I mean... a basic solution.
翻譯:這有點像是一個蠢…你懂我意思吧…一個很基本的解決辦法。
注意：在正式書寫或專業場合中，應避免使用 "dumb" 來形容人或想法，因其帶有強烈的主觀批評色彩，可能顯得不夠尊重或專業。建議改用更中性的詞彙，如 "unwise", "ill-advised", 或 "uninformed"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Dumb"?What fixed phrases with "Dumb" should I remember?
dumb down
verb + down
簡化（內容）使其更易理解，有時帶有貶義，指過度簡化而失去深度
dumb luck
adjective + noun
純粹的運氣；僥倖
play dumb
verb + adjective
裝傻；假裝不知道
dumbstruck
adjective
驚愕得說不出話；目瞪口呆
dumb mistake
adjective + noun
愚蠢的錯誤；低級錯誤
dumb it down
verb + pronoun + down
將它（內容）簡化（參見 dumb down）
dumb show
adjective + noun
默劇；手勢表演
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Dumb"?Which "Dumb" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He dumbs the phone by dropping it.
✓He dumbed the phone by dropping it.
作為動詞，'dumb' 的過去式是 'dumbed'，表示使某物變啞或失效的動作已完成。
×She tried to dumb.
✓She tried to dumb the device.
動詞 'dumb' 是及物動詞，必須接一個受詞（通常是電子設備或系統），表示使其無法正常運作或發出聲音。
×He dumbed the computer to install updates.
✓He dumbed down the computer to install updates.
動詞 'dumb' 單獨使用時，通常指「使靜音」或「使失效」。若要表達「簡化」或「降低智慧程度」，應使用片語動詞 'dumb down'。
×Please dumb your voice.
✓Please lower your voice. / Please be quiet.
動詞 'dumb' 不用於指降低人聲的音量。它主要用於使機器、設備或系統靜音或失效。要求別人安靜應使用 'lower your voice' 或 'be quiet'。
×The TV was dumbing during the storm.
✓The TV was dumbed during the storm.
描述設備「被弄啞」或「被設為靜音」的狀態時，應使用被動語態 'was dumbed'，而非進行式。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Dumb"?What are tense/participle forms of "Dumb"?
dumbs(3rd_singular)dumbing(present_participle)dumbed(past)dumbed(past_participle)