dingbat

noun

ding·​bat ˈdiŋ-ˌbat How to pronounce dingbat (audio)
1
: a typographical symbol or ornament (such as *, ¶, or ✠)
2

Examples of dingbat in a Sentence

I told you it wouldn't work, you dingbat! a dingbat who was constantly firing off nonsensical letters to the editor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Again, how can someone be so essential, so rich and, at the same time, such a dingbat? Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Sep. 2024 Connor’s the dingbat who will never amount to anything. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 31 May 2023 The dingbat president has vulgarly insulted his wife, Margaret (Vanessa Williams), in public, and now Harriet and Jean must spin the wreckage. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2022 Young women have been targeted as linguistic dingbats for a long time. Kory Stamper, The Cut, 29 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dingbat was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near dingbat

Cite this Entry

“Dingbat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dingbat. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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