Simpleminded

Simpleminded is an English adjective used to describe a person who appears to have a limited capacity for complex thought, discernment, or critical reasoning. It can apply to actions, beliefs, or judgments that seem simplistic or lacking depth. In ordinary use, it often carries a pejorative tone, signaling frustration with what is perceived as stupidity or gullibility.

The term is formed from simple and minded, and is commonly written as either simple-minded or simpleminded. Its appearance in English texts dates back to at least the 18th century. As a general descriptor, it is not a clinical term and should be distinguished from medical or developmental diagnoses.

Connotations and caution: simpleminded can be insulting, particularly toward people with cognitive disabilities. In modern usage, many editors and style guides advise avoiding the phrase in formal or respectful writing, favoring more precise or less loaded alternatives such as naive, gullible, thoughtless, or lacking in judgment depending on the context.

Variants and related terms: related expressions include simpleton (a noun for a person regarded as silly or foolish) and simple-mindedness (the quality or state of being simpleminded). Related but distinct terms include naive, credulous, and unsophisticated, which may convey specific nuances without the broader insult of labeling someone as unintelligent.

See also: stigma in language, descriptors of cognitive ability, and discussions of respectful communication. Examples in literature often use simpleminded to portray a character whose reasoning is straightforward or plausibly constrained by limited information.