What it means
Dingbat is what you call someone who’s being a bit dopey or scatterbrained, the type to lose their keys while they’re holding them. It’s a mild jab, more exasperated laugh than proper insult, and it can even sound almost fond when you’re talking about a mate who’s forever stuffing up the simple stuff.
Usage examples
"I rocked up to the servo on an empty tank with my wallet at home. Old mate behind the counter goes, You dingbat, what now?"
"I'm such a dingbat, I drove all the way to the airport and left the passports on the kitchen bench."
"Bless him, he's a bit of a dingbat, put the milk in the cupboard and the cereal in the fridge again."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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