1
: a short bar with weights at each end that is used usually in pairs for exercise
2
: a stupid person : dummy
Synonyms
- airhead
- birdbrain
- blockhead
- bonehead
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- chucklehead
- clodpoll
- clodpole
- clot [British]
- cluck
- clunk
- cretin
- cuddy [British dialect]
- cuddie
- deadhead
- dim bulb [slang]
- dimwit
- dip
- dodo
- dolt
- donkey
- doofus [slang]
- dope
- dork [slang]
- dullard
- dum-dum
- dumbhead
- dummkopf
- dummy
- dunce
- dunderhead
- fathead
- gander
- golem
- goof
- goon
- half-wit
- hammerhead
- hardhead
- idiot
- ignoramus
- imbecile
- jackass
- know-nothing
- knucklehead
- lamebrain
- loggerhead [chiefly dialect]
- loon
- lump
- lunkhead
- meathead
- mome [archaic]
- moron
- mug [chiefly British]
- mutt
- natural
- nimrod [slang]
- nincompoop
- ninny
- ninnyhammer
- nit [chiefly British]
- nitwit
- noddy
- noodle
- numskull
- numbskull
- oaf
- pinhead
- prat [British]
- ratbag [chiefly Australian]
- saphead
- schlub [slang]
- shlub
- schnook [slang]
- simpleton
- stock
- stupe
- stupid
- thickhead
- turkey
- woodenhead
- yahoo
- yo-yo
Examples of dumbbell in a Sentence
I feel like a dumbbell for making such a stupid mistake.
no, you're not a dumbbell—this is one of the hardest courses the school offers
Recent Examples on the Web
Anyone new to strength training can benefit from an awesome beginner dumbbell workout that hits all the major muscle groups with simple, effective movements.
—
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Jan. 2024
But even the larger ones weigh less than your lightest pair of dumbbells — the full lineup ranges from 2.42 to 2.98 pounds.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 29 Dec. 2023
Hold a kettlebell or dumbbell with both hands at chest height, with elbows bent and in line with your shoulders.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 11 Sep. 2023
Press the dumbbells overhead, straightening your elbows completely.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 5 Dec. 2023
Try holding a set of kettlebells or dumbbells in a front rack position for an extra shoulder, back, and core challenge.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2023
How to: Start with feet under hips, legs straight, holding a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing toward body and weights touching quads.
Pull elbows up and out wide to lift the dumbbells to chest.
—Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
Combine high-rep bodyweight core exercises with some resistance, like using dumbbells when possible.
—Jennifer Cohen, Health, 3 Dec. 2023
Is a dumbbell deadlift a conventional or Romanian deadlift?
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 6 Nov. 2023
See More
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Jan. 2024
But even the larger ones weigh less than your lightest pair of dumbbells — the full lineup ranges from 2.42 to 2.98 pounds.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 29 Dec. 2023
Hold a kettlebell or dumbbell with both hands at chest height, with elbows bent and in line with your shoulders.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 11 Sep. 2023
Press the dumbbells overhead, straightening your elbows completely.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 5 Dec. 2023
Try holding a set of kettlebells or dumbbells in a front rack position for an extra shoulder, back, and core challenge.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2023
How to: Start with feet under hips, legs straight, holding a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing toward body and weights touching quads.
Pull elbows up and out wide to lift the dumbbells to chest.
—Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
Combine high-rep bodyweight core exercises with some resistance, like using dumbbells when possible.
—Jennifer Cohen, Health, 3 Dec. 2023
Is a dumbbell deadlift a conventional or Romanian deadlift?
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 6 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dumbbell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Dumbbell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumbbell. Accessed 17 Jan. 2024.
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Kids Definition
dumbbell
noun
dumb·bell
ˈdəm-ˌbel 
1
: a bar with weights at the ends that is usually used for exercise or building strength
2
: a stupid person : dummy entry 1
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