(ambitransitive, rare, chiefly, Scotland) To make or become daft.
(ambitransitive, rare, chiefly, Scotland) To make or become daft.
Daften means: To make or become daft.. It is mainly Scottish 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.
daften means: To make or become daft.. Register: informal, Scottish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. 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.
Daften means: To make or become daft.. It is mainly Scottish 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.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Dafty is a fondly teasing Scottish and Northern English term for someone who acts daft — silly, foolish, a bit goofy, or not entirely in touch with reality. It's affectionate as often as it's critical; calling your mate a dafty after they've done something ridiculous is more of a laugh than an insult. It has the same warmth as 'numpty' or 'walloper' in Scottish speech — you're not crushing them, you're just gently pointing out that they've been an absolute numskull.