booby

boo-by · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large tropical seabird of the gannet family, with a long bill and brightly colored feet.

  2. 2.

    [informal, dated]A stupid or foolish person.

Forms

plural: boobies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    booby prize — a prize given as a joke to the person who finishes last
  • •
    booby trap — a hidden trap or device designed to harm or surprise someone
  • •
    booby hatch — (slang) a psychiatric hospital

Related words

See also: boob, fool, gannet
Synonyms: dunce, fool

Etymology

From Spanish bobo ("stupid, foolish"), from Latin balbus ("stammering"). The seabird was named for its apparent tameness around humans, which early sailors interpreted as stupidity.