English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adj Uncommon

clueless

KLOO-luhs

Clueless (adj) means having no understanding of a situation; completely uninformed. Example: “He was clueless about how to fix the car.”

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adj

1

Having no understanding of a situation; completely uninformed.

"He was clueless about how to fix the car."

"She felt clueless on her first day at the new job."

How to use clueless

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving no idea what's going on; totally unaware or uninformed.

When to use it

Informal, often used to gently mock someone for not understanding something obvious.

Common pairings

completely clueless clueless about

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

more clueless comparative, most clueless superlative

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He was _____ about how to fix the car.

Etymology

Built from clue plus the suffix -less, meaning "without" — literally "without clues".

Antonyms

clueful informed

Related words

learned aware informed educated advised privy clueful

Rhymes for clueless

useless ageless wireless hopeless homeless tireless careless lifeless baseless timeless loveless nameless

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Frequently asked questions

What does “clueless” mean?

The word “clueless” means having no understanding of a situation; completely uninformed. In plain terms, having no idea what's going on; totally unaware or uninformed.

How do you pronounce “clueless”?

“Clueless” is pronounced KLOO-luhs (/ˈkluː.ləs/ in IPA).

How do you use “clueless” in a sentence?

Here is “clueless” used in a sentence: “He was clueless about how to fix the car.”

What is the opposite of “clueless”?

The opposite of “clueless” — its antonyms — are clueful and informed.

What part of speech is “clueless”?

“Clueless” is an adjective.

Is “clueless” a common word?

“Clueless” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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learned aware informed educated advised privy clueful

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial