# witless

> English word · Adjective · frequency rank #65,639

## Definitions
1. Lacking wit or understanding; foolish.
2. Indiscreet; not using clear and sound judgment.
3. Mindless, lacking conscious thought or the capacity for it.

## Etymology
From Middle English witles, from Old English witlēas (“senseless; witless”), from Proto-Germanic *witjalausaz (“witless”), equivalent to wit + -less. Cognate with Swedish vettlös (“senseless; witless; wild”), Icelandic vitlaus (“senseless; witless; foolish; mad”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/witless