Meanings
nounspace cadet (plural space cadets)
plural space cadets
- A person in training to be a (generally military) astronaut.
- derogatoryslangOne who deals with reality in a way consistent with being under the influence of (or "spaced out on") drugs.
Synonyms: space case
- derogatoryslangOne who forgets, daydreams, or otherwise is distracted from reality more often than most.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounOne who deals with reality in a way consistent with being under the influence of (or "spaced out on") drugs.
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Also see
Origin
From the title of the 1948 science fiction novel Space Cadet, by Robert A. Heinlein.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Bulgarian космически кадет
- космически кадет (kosmičeski kadet)Translations
Spanish cadete espacial
- cadete espacialTranslations
Cite this entry
APA
space cadet. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/space%20cadet
MLA
“space cadet.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/space%20cadet. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “space cadet,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/space%20cadet.
Source: space cadet on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.