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prattish

British informal adjective meaning foolish, idiotic, or behaving like a prat — which in UK English is a mild insult for someone who acts stupidly or selfishly.

ˈpɹætɪʃhistorical170 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

British informal adjective meaning foolish, idiotic, or behaving like a prat — which in UK English is a mild insult for someone who acts stupidly or selfishly. Prattish behavior includes things like making pointless arguments, embarrassing yourself in public, or being unnecessarily difficult for no good reason. It's not a scorching insult — more of a fond eye-roll word — but it lands a clear judgment that whoever you're describing is being a bit of an idiot. Common in British sitcoms and everyday conversation.

Look, I know you're nervous, but don't be prattish about it — just apologize and move on.
Origin: Derived from "prat," British slang of uncertain origin (possibly from Old English meaning buttocks) that came to mean a stupid or foolish person. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, informal) Like a prat; foolish.

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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.

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