Ignorant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈig-n(ə-)rənt/ ig·no·rant

Meaning & Definition of Ignorant

Ignorant (adjective)

  1. destitute of knowledge or education; also, lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified —often used with of or about
  2. resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence
  3. unaware, uninformed

Ignorant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books

    "they may be poor, ignorant farmers, but they are not stupid"

    similar: analphabetic, benighted, dark, illiterate, nonliterate, rude, simple, uneducated, uninstructed, unlearned, unlettered, unread, unschooled, untaught, untutored
    related: functionally illiterate, innumerate, semiliterate, unknowledgeable, artless, lowbrow, philistine, uncultivated, uncultured, callow, green, inexperienced, innocent, naive, unsophisticated, raw, unskilled, untrained, brainless, dumb, idiotic, imbecile, moronic, stupid, witless, foolish, senseless, silly
    opposite: educated, knowledgeable, lettered, literate, schooled, well-informed, well-read
    near: brilliant, intelligent, smart, experienced, expert, trained, erudite, learned, polyhistoric, polymath, scholarly, cultivated, cultured, highbrow, intellectual, sophisticated, acquainted, aware, familiar

  2. not informed about or aware of something

    "he was ignorant of their wedding plans"

    similar: clueless, incognizant, innocent, insensible, nescient, oblivious, unacquainted, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unknowing, unmindful, unwitting, in the dark
    related: uneducated, unschooled, untaught, absent, absentminded, abstracted, heedless, inattentive, inconscient
    opposite: acquainted, aware, cognizant, conscious, conversant, grounded, informed, knowing, mindful, witting
    near: au courant, hip, plugged-in, up-to-date, educated, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, heedful, observant, sensitive, sentient

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ignorant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ignorant:

analphabetic, benighted, dark, illiterate, nonliterate, rude, simple, uneducated, uninstructed, unlearned, unlettered, unread, unschooled, untaught, untutored, clueless, incognizant, innocent, insensible, nescient, oblivious, unacquainted, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unknowing, unmindful, unwitting, in the dark

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ignorant

Words with the opposite meaning of Ignorant:

educated, knowledgeable, lettered, literate, schooled, well-informed, well-read, acquainted, aware, cognizant, conscious, conversant, grounded, informed, knowing, mindful, witting

Related Words for Ignorant

functionally illiterate, innumerate, semiliterate, unknowledgeable, artless, lowbrow, philistine, uncultivated, uncultured, callow, green, inexperienced, naive, unsophisticated, raw, unskilled, untrained, brainless, dumb, idiotic, imbecile, moronic, stupid, witless, foolish, senseless, silly, absent, absentminded, abstracted

Near Antonyms of Ignorant

brilliant, intelligent, smart, experienced, expert, trained, erudite, learned, polyhistoric, polymath, scholarly, cultivated, cultured, highbrow, intellectual, sophisticated, familiar, au courant, hip, plugged-in, up-to-date, taught, heedful, observant, sensitive, sentient

Word Forms of Ignorant

Derived words: ignorantly (adverb), ignorantness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Ignorant

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Ignorant

What does "Ignorant" mean?

"Ignorant" means destitute of knowledge or education; also, lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified —often used with of or about. As an adjective, it is defined as: destitute of knowledge or education; also, lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified —often used with of or about. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ignorant"?

Other words for "Ignorant" include analphabetic, benighted, dark, illiterate, nonliterate, rude, simple and uneducated. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ignorant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ignorant"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ignorant". Common alternatives include analphabetic, benighted, dark, illiterate, nonliterate, rude, simple, uneducated, uninstructed and unlearned.

What is the opposite of "Ignorant"?

Antonyms of "Ignorant" include educated, knowledgeable, lettered, literate, schooled, well-informed, well-read and acquainted. Near antonyms include brilliant, intelligent, smart and experienced.

How do you use "Ignorant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ignorant" in a sentence: "they may be poor, ignorant farmers, but they are not stupid"; "he was ignorant of their wedding plans".

Is "Ignorant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ignorant" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Ignorant"?

"Ignorant" is pronounced /ˈig-n(ə-)rənt/ and divided into syllables as ig·no·rant.

What is the origin of the word "Ignorant"?

First known use: 15th century.