ignoramus
9 synonyms and 2 antonyms for ignoramus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who is strikingly uninformed or unwilling to learn; a fool.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From the name of the foolish lawyer character Ignoramus in George Ruggle's 1615 play of the same name; ultimately from Latin ignoramus, "we do not know."
Full origin of ignoramus →Frequently asked questions
What does “ignoramus” mean?
The word “ignoramus” means a person who is strikingly uninformed or unwilling to learn; a fool. In plain terms, a blunt, slightly comic put-down for someone who really doesn't know what they're talking about.
How do you pronounce “ignoramus”?
“Ignoramus” is pronounced ihg-nuh-RAY-muhs (/ˌɪɡ.nəˈɹeɪ.məs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ignoramus” in a sentence?
Here is “ignoramus” used in a sentence: “Only an ignoramus would ignore the safety warnings on the label.”
What is another word for “ignoramus”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ignoramus” include dunce, jay, know-nothing, lack-latin, mumpsimus and nescient.
What is the opposite of “ignoramus”?
The opposite of “ignoramus” — its antonyms — are genius and scholar.
What part of speech is “ignoramus”?
“Ignoramus” is a noun.
Where does the word “ignoramus” come from?
The word “ignoramus” dates back to around 1615 and comes from Latin. From the name of the foolish lawyer character Ignoramus in George Ruggle's 1615 play of the same name; ultimately from Latin ignoramus, "we do not know.".