ignorant

Pluralignorants

1. 1
   lacking learningadjective

   Not knowing much, or not having much education.

   He felt ignorant next to his friends who had gone to college.

   My grandmother never went to school, but she was not ignorant at all.

   UsageNot the same as ignore (not pay attention). An ignorant person has not learned something.

   Similaruneducated, unschooled, unlearned

   Oppositeeducated, learned, knowledgeable

   Note
2. 2
   unawareadjective

   Not knowing about a certain fact or thing.

   She was ignorant of the rules, so she broke them by mistake.

   Nobody told him, so he was ignorant that the test had been moved.

   UsageSay ignorant of something or ignorant that something happened. Blissfully ignorant means happy not knowing.

   Similarunaware, oblivious, uninformed, unknowing

   Oppositeaware, informed, conscious

   Note
3. 3
   adjective

   Said or done because someone does not know enough, and so silly.

   His ignorant remark that whales are fish made the whole class laugh.

   Planting the seeds in the snow was an ignorant mistake, and none of them grew.

   UsageUsed for things people say or do: an ignorant remark, an ignorant question.

   Similarmisguided, foolish, ill-informed, silly, stupid

   Oppositewise, sensible, informed

   Note
4. 4
   adjectiveslang

   Rude and rough, with bad manners.

   Don't be so ignorant, say thank you to your aunt.

   He was really ignorant to the waiter, so we left a big tip to make up for it.

   UsagePeople may hear not educated, so make it clear you mean rude, as in ignorant to the waiter.

   Similarrude, impolite, ill-mannered, boorish, uncouth

   Oppositepolite, courteous, respectful

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   A person who does not know much. It is usually used as "the ignorant," meaning people like this.

   The ignorant are easy to fool with big promises.

   She spent her life teaching the poor and the ignorant to read.

   UsageUsually the ignorant, meaning people who do not know much. Use a plural verb: the ignorant are.

   Similarignoramus

Showing meanings only. Show all 6