Sciocco

Sciocco is an Italian word that functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective it means foolish, silly, or stupid, with the feminine form sciocca and the plural sciocchi (masc) / sciocche (fem). As a noun it can refer to a fool: uno sciocco, una sciocca.

Usage: The term is common in everyday speech and can be pejorative, though it may be used lightheartedly among friends or in storytelling. It often conveys mild reproach rather than severe insult, depending on tone and context. Phrases include che sciocco! or fai lo sciocco, and a person might be called uno sciocco for an imprudent action rather than for a chronic character flaw.

Related terms: synonyms include stupido, cretino, tonto; sciocco tends to imply a fault in judgment or a momentary lack of sense rather than a chronic deficiency. In literature and media it can appear in dialogues to render vernacular speech.

History and forms: The etymology traces back to older Italian forms; exact origin is not certain. The word has variants in dialects where it may take different spellings or intensities.

Other uses: Sciocco is also a surname in Italy.

See also: cretino, stolto, tonto.