What does "ignoramus" mean?
A totally ignorant person—unknowledgeable, uneducated, or uninformed; a fool.
Ignoramus
/ˌɪɡ.nəˈɹeɪ.məs/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A totally ignorant person—unknowledgeable, uneducated, or uninformed; a fool.
- Grammar: ignoramus is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: dunce, abecedarian, alphabetarian, apprentice.
- Useful contrasts: bluestocking, bluestockings, bookman.
- Usage evidence: Tom is an ignoramus. He understands absolutely nothing.
How to use "ignoramus"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ignoramus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "ignoramus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "ignoramus" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "ignoramus" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A totally ignorant person—unknowledgeable, uneducated, or uninformed; a fool.
"The problem is that visual ignoramuses, such as this writer, can't think of that many pictures and end up drawing question marks where a frog should be."
- 2 A grand jury's ruling on an indictment when the evidence is determined to be insufficient to send the case to trial. dated
- 3 an ignorant person wordnet
Verb
- 1 To make such a ruling against (an indictment). transitive
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Tom is an ignoramus. He understands absolutely nothing."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ignoramus"?
Common synonyms include: dunce, abecedarian, alphabetarian, apprentice, articled clerk, ass.
How do you use "ignoramus" in a sentence?
Tom is an ignoramus. He understands absolutely nothing.
How do you pronounce "ignoramus"?
Pronounced /ˌɪɡ.nəˈɹeɪ.məs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
After the ignorant lawyer Ignoramus, the titular character in the 1615 play Ignoramus by the English playwright George Ruggle; from Latin ignōrāmus (“we do not know, we are unacquainted with, we are ignorant of”), the first-person plural present active indicative of ignōrō (“I do not know, I am unacquainted with, I am ignorant of”).
Etymology 2
Directly from Latin ignōrāmus (“we do not know”).