dumstyle

Dumstyle is a term used in online discourse to describe an approach to content or aesthetics characterized by deliberate simplicity, affectation, or low-effort humor. It lacks a single fixed definition and appears across varied online communities, including forums, social media, and meme cultures.

The coinage is likely a portmanteau of "dumb" and "style," or a playful misspelling of "dumb." Its first attested uses are informal and dispersed, making it difficult to pinpoint an origin.

In memes and internet humor, dumstyle denotes humor that relies on silliness, intentionally awkward phrasing, or exaggerated lack of sophistication. In discussions of fashion or design within online communities, the term has been used to describe a tongue-in-cheek, retro, or deliberately goofy aesthetic. In some contexts, it operates as irony: audiences recognize the lack of effort as a stylistic choice rather than a real inadequacy.

Related concepts include ironic style, low-effort humor, meme aesthetics, and self-deprecating content.

Because dumstyle is not widely standardized, meanings vary by community and platform. As with many online-neologism terms, its usage evolves with conversations and cultural trends.