space cadet
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
One who deals with reality in a way consistent with being under the influence of (or "spaced out on") drugs.
Register: derogatory, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
One who forgets, daydreams, or otherwise is distracted from reality more often than most.
Register: derogatory, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “space cadet” mean?
One who deals with reality in a way consistent with being under the influence of (or "spaced out on") drugs.
Is “space cadet” formal or informal?
space cadet is generally derogatory, slang.