thickheaded

Thickheaded is an informal adjective used to describe a person who is slow to understand something or who persists in behaving as if they cannot grasp information. It often connotes stubbornness or a knee-jerk resistance to obvious facts, and is generally considered insulting or humorous depending on context.

Usage and nuance: The term is typically pejorative and may be taken as rude or disrespectful if directed at someone. It is more likely to appear in colloquial speech, satire, or fiction than in formal writing. In casual use, it can be affectionate among friends, but caution is advised as it can offend.

Form and orthography: Thickheaded may appear as thick-headed or thickheaded; the hyphenated form is common in more traditional writing, while the unhyphenated variant is also seen in modern usage. Related constructions include phrases like “thick-headed person” and related adjectives such as “dense” or “dim,” though each carries its own nuance and strength.

Etymology and history: The word combines thick, meaning dull or stupid, with headed, a figurative reference to someone’s mental state. The compound has appeared in English colloquial language for many years and is well established in informal registers.

Related terms: Synonyms and near-synonyms include obtuse, slow-witted, dense, and dim. Antonyms include quick-witted, sharp, and clever. Context and tone determine whether thickheaded functions as light-hearted banter or a sharper insult.