What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Fatuous vs Vacuous - What's the difference?

fatuous | vacuous |

As adjectives the difference between fatuous and vacuous

is that fatuous is obnoxiously stupid, vacantly silly, content in one's foolishness while vacuous is lacking meaningful content.

fatuous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Obnoxiously stupid, vacantly silly, content in one's foolishness.
    • To compare the intelligence levels of men and women is itself fatuous .

    Usage notes

    * Refers especially to foolishness and disregard of reality.

    Synonyms

    * (obnoxiously stupid) childish, imbecilic, inane, insipid, puerile

    Related terms

    * fatuity * fatuously * fatuousness * infatuate

    vacuous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Lacking meaningful content.
  • Showing a lack of thought or intelligence; vacant

    • Derived terms

    * vacuity (noun) * vacuously (adverb) * vacuousness (noun)