Australian slang for an idiot or fool — a dismissive term for someone acting stupidly. It has the blunt, abbreviated quality of Australian insult slang and is used informally without particular venom. The word may derive from 'imbecile' or 'imbo' as a clipped form, or it may be an independent coinage. It carries a similar weight to 'drongo' or 'dill' in Australian usage.
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Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
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Don't worry about what that imbo said — he doesn't know what he's talking about.
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(Australian, slang) An idiot, a fool.
Imbo means: An idiot, a fool.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. 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.
imbo means: An idiot, a fool.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. 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.
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