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daftlike

A British regional adjective meaning foolish-looking or behaving in a silly, daft manner.

ˈdæftˌlaɪkhistorical146 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

A British regional adjective meaning foolish-looking or behaving in a silly, daft manner. It combines the beloved Northern and Scottish term "daft" (meaning stupid, silly, or crazy in a harmless way) with the "-like" suffix common in regional dialects. If something seems daftlike, it's not quite all there — a bit ridiculous, a bit ill-thought-out, a bit gormless. It's never particularly harsh; more affectionately exasperated than genuinely scathing.

She showed up to the interview in a daftlike outfit and still somehow got the job.
Origin: From "daft" (Northern English and Scottish for silly/foolish, from Old Norse "daftr" meaning dull/slow) plus the dialectal suffix "-like." Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, regional) Daft; foolish.

For parents

Daftlike means: Daft; foolish.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. As a place or proper-name reference it is purely descriptive. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

daftlike means: Daft; foolish.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Cluster: fool
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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.

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