German word

stumpf

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtʊmpf/

Meaning

  • adjectiveblunt

Example

Das Messer ist stumpf und schneidet nicht.

The knife is blunt and won't cut.

Illustration for stumpf (blunt)

More examples

Nach vielen Enttäuschungen fühlte er sich emotional stumpf.

After many disappointments, he felt emotionally numb.

Core concept

A knife edge, surface, or feeling lacks a clear point and therefore seems dull, flat, or unresponsive.

Common phrases

  • ein stumpfes Messer

    a blunt knife

  • emotional stumpf

    emotionally numb

  • ein stumpfer Schmerz

    a dull pain

Similar words

unscharf: Appearing blurred because the outlines or boundaries are not distinct.
taub: Having little or no sense of touch or other physical sensation.
abgestumpft: Emotionally dulled, with reduced sensitivity and responsiveness.
dumpf: Muted and muffled, especially in sound or the sensation of an impact.

Definition in German

Nicht scharf oder spitz; auch übertragen ohne deutliche Empfindung oder Reaktion.

Word origin

The adjective comes from Old High German stumpf and continues a Germanic root associated with something shortened or lacking a sharp end.

Usage tips

  • Stumpf can mean matte for a surface or color, so stumpfer Lack means matte paint rather than blunt paint or a blunt object.

Other meanings

  • numbadjective
  • matteadjective
  • obtuseadjective

Opposites

  • scharfsharpadjective
  • scharfsinnigsharp-wittedadjective

Related words

  • abstumpfenbluntverb
  • Abstumpfungdullingnoun

Word lists with this word