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know-nothing

know-noth·ing
K k

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [noh nuhth-ing]
    • /noʊ ˈnʌθ ɪŋ/
    • /nəʊ ˈnʌθɪŋ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [noh nuhth-ing]
    • /noʊ ˈnʌθ ɪŋ/

Definitions of know-nothing word

  • noun know-nothing an ignorant or totally uninformed person; ignoramus. 1
  • noun know-nothing an agnostic. 1
  • noun know-nothing (initial capital letters) U.S. History. a member of a political party (American party or Know-Nothing party) prominent from 1853 to 1856, whose aim was to keep control of the government in the hands of native-born citizens: so called because members originally professed ignorance of the party's activities. 1
  • noun know-nothing a person whose anti-intellectualism, xenophobia, and other political attitudes recall the Know-Nothings. 1
  • adjective know-nothing grossly ignorant; totally uninformed. 1
  • adjective know-nothing agnostic. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of know-nothing

First appearance:

before 1815
One of the 39% newest English words
First recorded in 1815-25

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Know-nothing

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

know-nothing popularity

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 27% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.
According to our data about 57% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

Synonyms for know-nothing

adj know-nothing

  • brainless — If you describe someone or something as brainless, you mean that you think they are stupid.
  • dizzy — having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall; giddy; vertiginous.
  • featherbrain — a foolish or giddy person; scatterbrain.
  • frivolous — characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct.
  • giddy — affected with vertigo; dizzy.

noun know-nothing

  • fool — to trick, deceive, or impose on: They tried to fool him.
  • dunce — a dull-witted, stupid, or ignorant person; dolt.
  • idiot — Informal. an utterly foolish or senseless person: If you think you can wear that outfit to a job interview and get hired, you're an idiot!
  • blockhead — a stupid person
  • imbecile — Informal. a dunce; blockhead; dolt: Don't stand there like an imbecile. Open the door!.

Antonyms for know-nothing

adj know-nothing

  • cognizant — If someone is cognizant of something, they are aware of it or understand it.
  • intelligent — having good understanding or a high mental capacity; quick to comprehend, as persons or animals: an intelligent student.
  • sensible — having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment: a sensible young woman.
  • slick — smooth and glossy; sleek.
  • smart — having or showing quick intelligence or ready mental capability: a smart student.

noun know-nothing

  • brain — Your brain is the organ inside your head that controls your body's activities and enables you to think and to feel things such as heat and pain.

Top questions with know-nothing

  • what was the know-nothing party?
  • what led to the forming of the know-nothing party?
  • what was the platform of the know-nothing party?

See also

Matching words

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