Meaning of the word cretin in English

What does cretin mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

cretin

US /ˈkriː.t̬ən/
UK /ˈkret.ɪn/

Noun

1.

a stupid person (offensive)

Example:
Only a complete cretin would forget their passport on an international trip.
He called his opponent a cretin during the heated debate.
2.

a person suffering from cretinism (medical, dated)

Example:
Historically, the term cretin was used to describe individuals with severe congenital hypothyroidism.
The medical understanding of conditions like cretinism has advanced significantly.