idiot light

noun

Any warning light or indicator on the dashboard of a car, designed to alert the driver to problems, such as the parking brake being on or the oil being low.

Similar
dummy lightwarning light
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Meanings

nounidiot light (plural idiot lights)

plural idiot lights

  1. slangautomotiveAny warning light or indicator on the dashboard of a car, designed to alert the driver to problems, such as the parking brake being on or the oil being low.

    Synonyms: dummy light, warning light

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAny warning light or indicator on the dashboard of a car, designed to alert the driver to problems, such as the parking brake being on or the oil being low.

Similar
dummy lightwarning light
Also see
dummy lightwarning light

Origin

From idiot + light, suggesting that even a stupid person with no mechanical knowledge can recognize a problem when thus indicated.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish varoitusvalo
  • varoitusvalowarning light
French voyant
  • voyantwarning light
German Warnlämpchen, Signallämpchen
  • Warnlämpchenwarning light
  • Signallämpchenwarning light
Spanish chivato
  • chivatowarning light
Cite this entry
APA

idiot light. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/idiot%20light

MLA

“idiot light.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/idiot%20light. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “idiot light,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/idiot%20light.

Source: idiot light on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.