How Do You Spell DINGBAT?

Pronunciation: [dˈɪŋbat] (IPA)

The word "dingbat" is spelled with two syllables and five sounds. It is pronounced as /ˈdɪŋbæt/. The initial sound "d" is followed by "i" which is pronounced as /ɪ/, followed by a nasal sound "n" pronounced as /n/ and a voiced consonant "g" pronounced as /ɡ/. The second syllable consists of "b" pronounced as /b/ and a short vowel "a" pronounced as /æ/. Together, "dingbat" refers to a foolish or eccentric person or thing.

DINGBAT Meaning and Definition

  1. Dingbat is a term that has multiple meanings depending on the context. In typography, a dingbat refers to a small decorative or symbolic character used to enhance or decorate text. Dingbats are typically non-alphabetic or non-numeric characters, such as arrows, stars, or flowers, which are often used as bullet points or separators.

    In a more colloquial sense, the term dingbat can be used as a slang or derogatory term to refer to a foolish or clueless person. This usage implies that the person is lacking intelligence or behaving in a foolish manner.

    Furthermore, dingbat can also refer to a building detail or architectural ornamentation that appears decorative but has no actual function or purpose. These decorative elements are often found on the exterior of buildings and are used to enhance its visual appeal.

    Additionally, dingbat can be used to describe a type of mathematical symbol that is used in formal logic to represent a proposition or logical expression. These symbols are typically small and are used in equations or formulas to express logical relationships between different variables or statements.

    Overall, the term dingbat has a range of meanings, from decorative symbols in typography to foolish individuals or architectural elements, depending on the context in which it is used.

Common Misspellings for DINGBAT

Etymology of DINGBAT

The word "dingbat" originated in early 20th century America and is believed to be a combination of two separate words: "ding" and "bat".

The term "ding" can be traced back to the British dialect, meaning to hit or strike. Over time, it also came to represent something foolish or silly.

The word "bat" refers to a wooden club-like object, which can be used to strike or hit. In slang usage, "bat" was often associated with someone who behaves erratically or eccentrically.

By combining these two words, "dingbat" came to represent a foolish, eccentric, or scatterbrained person. In the mid-20th century, the term was also adopted to refer to certain typographical ornaments or decorative characters used in printing, further expanding its meaning.

Plural form of DINGBAT is DINGBATS