Dopey means slow-witted, foolish, or mentally sluggish, like someone who's just woken up from a deep sleep and can't quite think straight yet. When you feel dopey after staying up too late, your brain seems foggy and you might forget simple things or move more slowly than usual.

The word often describes temporary confused states rather than permanent conditions. Cold medicine might make you feel dopey and drowsy. After getting your wisdom teeth removed, you might act dopey from the anesthesia and say silly things you don't remember later.

Dopey can also describe someone who does foolish things or seems not very bright, like a character in a story who keeps making obvious mistakes. One of Snow White's seven dwarfs was named Dopey because he acted confused and silly, though he was also kind and lovable.

The word carries a gentle, somewhat affectionate tone rather than a harsh insult. Calling your friend dopey when they accidentally put their shoes on the wrong feet is teasing, not cruel. Still, it's wise to use the word carefully, since nobody enjoys being told they're acting foolish, even in a lighthearted way.